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Women in Leadership 2026: How Gi Group Switzerland anchors gender equality and what three female leaders say about it
Gender equality is not a short-term CSR project or a communication opportunity for International Women’s Day. At Gi Group Holding, it is part of a global sustainability strategy within a framework called “Sustainable Work,” built on four pillars: Decent & Safe Work, Employability & Satisfaction, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and Safeguarding Resources for the Future. Within this model, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion form the core of our social sustainability.
Our global strategy follows the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 on gender equality. This means that equality is not only an internal responsibility but also a contribution to a fairer, more transparent global labor market. Our global guidelines and standards, including our ethics, diversity and conduct codes, form the foundation of this approach. In Switzerland, we apply these principles in our programs, HR processes and everyday decisions.
With 57 percent women in our workforce, we are above the Swiss average. However, our focus is not the number itself but how we support it. Leadership coaching, mentoring, flexible working models, Parents@Work and equitable career and compensation structures do not create isolated outcomes but drive long-term structural change.
For International Women’s Day 2026, we asked three of our leaders, Angela, Kathrin and Paola, to share how they experience equality inside the company.
Three women, three perspectives on equality
Angela Dies, HR Director
Why is International Women’s Day important for Gi Group Switzerland?
“It gives us a chance to make our commitment visible while deepening internal dialogue. We do not treat it as a symbolic ritual but as a moment to reflect on our progress and what we still need to improve. It helps us strengthen our culture based on equal opportunities.”
Where do we stand today on Women in Leadership?
“Our culture shows that we develop people regardless of gender, origin or age. For women, we offer clear development tools such as leadership coaching, the Parents@Work return-to-work program and external training. We offer flexible work models and extended parental leave. And to be clear, in Switzerland it is far from common for a pregnant woman to be appointed to a leadership role. Here, it happens, and it is one of the reasons I work with Gi Group.”
Which initiatives have you implemented?
“Objective HR processes, Equal Pay analysis, mentoring, development programs, skills-based recruitment and structured career paths. All aligned with our global DEI standards and the Sustainable Work model.”
Do you see measurable progress?
“Our share of women has been consistently high for years, including in leadership roles. This is the result of structured work. Our Equal Pay analysis also shows that the gender pay gap is below the 5 percent threshold recommended by the Swiss government.”
What challenges remain?
“We need to maintain momentum and ensure that gender balance reaches all areas, including technical and specialized roles. The market for experienced female leaders is very competitive. But when we hire them, they stay and grow with us.”
Kathrin Gasser, Director Corporate Sales & Marketing
What does leadership mean to you?
“Creating an environment where people can fully express their potential. Leadership means space, safety and clarity.”
Which experiences shaped you?
“Those outside my comfort zone, such as international assignments, failed projects and new roles. They made me more resilient and helped me refine my leadership style.”
How does a culture where women can grow come to life?
“Through psychological safety. Women and all underrepresented groups need an environment where they can admit mistakes, take risks and speak freely without fear. Studies clearly confirm this. Communication, clear values and consistent leadership are essential.”
What barriers do you see in the industry?
“Women are present in the Swiss HR services sector, but often in support roles. In strategic business decisions, especially from middle management upward, they remain underrepresented. That is where the strongest leverage for change lies.”
How is equality reflected in everyday work?
“In my case, very concretely. I was promoted during my first pregnancy and offered a new role during maternity leave with my second child. This shows more than any program that equality here is lived.”
Paola Giardini, Branch Manager Grafton Mendrisio
How did your path toward leadership evolve?
“With honesty, it was not something I planned at all costs. My career grew naturally through results, increasing responsibility and trust. I started as a consultant, developed a client base and delivered consistent outcomes. Leadership came when others recognized I could take on more.”
What motivates you in your role?
“I am motivated by seeing people strengthen, learn and bring new ideas that also enrich me. I feel effective when I can support my team through clarity, organization or simply by being present. Seeing people grow motivates me every day.”
Which skills have helped you most?
“Perseverance, the willingness to keep going even without immediate results and the desire to improve daily. Empathy, adaptability, resilience and the ability to get back up again. And of course, passion for what I do.”
How do you promote diversity in your team?
“I try to build a daily culture based on respect, collaboration and freedom of expression. I believe that leading without imposing and showing strength without raising your voice is one of the most concrete ways to create an inclusive environment.”
Are there challenges that affect women in particular?
“Yes, often subtle but real. At times, I have felt on the margins, not due to competence but because of social dynamics. Emotional reactions are sometimes judged differently when coming from a woman. Motherhood is another challenge, beautiful but complex, requiring balance, energy and the ability to juggle responsibilities. These experiences have made me a more empathetic and aware leader.”
How DEI and CSR work together and why Women in Leadership remains a strategic mission
The perspectives of Angela, Kathrin and Paola show much more than the usual messages surrounding International Women’s Day. They demonstrate that equality emerges when a company does not simply offer programs but aligns its structure to this goal, from global guidelines to HR processes and daily decisions.
Gi Group Holding sees CSR and Diversity not as separate areas but as an interconnected system. Our Sustainable Work approach shows that fair working conditions, equal opportunities, inclusion and sustainable development are inseparable. DEI is not a communication element but a central pillar of our responsibility as a global labor market actor. In Switzerland, programs such as coaching, mentoring, Parents@Work, flexible models and equitable HR processes reflect this strategy.
At the same time, the everyday work of our leaders shows that guidelines only matter when they are lived. The culture Kathrin describes, the structural decisions guided by Angela and the leadership style of Paola demonstrate how Diversity, Equity and Inclusion become a true value, not a slogan. International Women’s Day reminds us that Switzerland still has work to do. But it also shows that progress is possible when companies take full responsibility.
For us, Women in Leadership is not an annual commitment but a long-term mission. Women should not be an exception in leadership roles but a natural part of them. We will continue working toward this goal with structure, consistency and the conviction that sustainable work must always be fair work.
Learn more about career opportunities at Gi Group Holding
Learn more about our social commitment
Are you looking for a new job? Explore the open positions offered by our recruitment brands:
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Gi Group Holding expands in Switzerland: introducing Grafton and Enginium
January 2026 marks a major milestone for Gi Group Holding in Switzerland. We are proud to announce the launch of two global brands in the Swiss market: Grafton and Enginium. This expansion strengthens our multi-brand strategy and enhances our ability to deliver specialized HR and technology consulting solutions tailored to the Swiss market.
The benefit of a multi-brand approach
Gi Group opened its first branch in Switzerland in 2016 and has continued to grow. In 2022, we acquired Eupro, and in 2024, Kelly Services. These steps created the new Gi Group Switzerland. Our focus now shifts to the market and the rollout of our global brands. “A multi-brand approach allows us to serve different market segments with specialized services, increasing client satisfaction and credibility. It also strengthens our competitive position by offering tailored solutions, as many clients prefer working with specialized partners” says Balz M. Villiger, President of the Board & Country Manager Switzerland "We can already see this in our successful Gi Life Sciences business, which is one of the leading staffing brands in Switzerland for life sciences talent, and in our Gi Medical business, where we support hospitals and institutions in finding skilled personnel who help them care for their patients."
Grafton: Global Expertise, Local Specialization
Grafton operates in 27 countries and is recognized as a global leader in Search and Selection. With over 40 years of experience and deep local expertise, Grafton connects companies with the talent they need to grow – and helps professionals find careers that truly fit them. In Switzerland, Grafton started in 2022 with one branch in Ticino and is now expanding with an office in Zurich for the German-speaking region and an office in Geneva for the French-speaking region. The brand focuses on a profile-driven approach, connecting experts in the following professions: IT & Engineering, Finance & Accounting, and Fashion & Luxury.
Meet our new Leaders in Grafton
Our expansion is powered by exceptional people. Here are the professionals leading the way:
Paola Giardini: Branch Manager Mendrisio and Division Manager Fashion & Luxury
Paola has been instrumental in building our Grafton branch in Mendrisio since 2022. Her expertise ensures we deliver top-tier talent for some of Switzerland’s most dynamic sectors, such as Fashion & Luxury.
“As Branch Manager of Grafton Mendrisio, I am responsible for business development and, together with my consultants, for providing tailor-made solutions to our clients. We create valuable connections between businesses and professionals in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. Nationally, we specialize in the retail sector with a strong focus on Fashion & Luxury. As Division Manager, I drive business growth and create impactful opportunities for our partners.”
Anita Mondelli: Branch Manager Zurich and Division Manager
Anita joined Grafton on 1 January 2026 and brings extensive experience in the staffing industry.
“As Division Manager at Grafton, I am responsible for the Search & Selection business and for shaping a sustainable and successful future. Additionally, I will proudly serve as Branch Manager, guiding the future team of Grafton Zurich, which is responsible for the German-speaking part of Switzerland. My goal is to bring people and organizations together successfully and sustainably: not only in terms of skills but also regarding attitude, values, and cultural fit.”
Richard Yanez: Senior Consultant Finance & Accounting, Geneva
Richard started on 1 January 2026 and brings over then years of experience in the Swiss staffing industry.
“With extensive recruitment experience, particularly in Finance & Accounting roles, I will strengthen our ability to attract specialized profiles in Western Switzerland. My network will be a valuable asset to our entire organization.”
Enginium: Driving Technology Consulting
Enginium brings end-to-end engineering consulting services to Switzerland. From research and development to product development, Enginium supports clients in industries such as Automotive, Telecommunications, Banking & Finance, Aerospace & Defence, and many more.
Lorenzo Nitoglia, Operations Manager for Enginium Switzerland, explains: “I am responsible for introducing to Switzerland the operating model that has driven Enginium’s success in Italy for the past eight years. With a background in Electronic Engineering, I have built and scaled technical IT and engineering consulting services throughout my career. Based in our Zurich office, I will lead business development across the country.”
What this means for you
For companies: We offer specialized recruitment and consulting services backed by global expertise and local insight.
We invite you to reach out today and start the conversation.
For candidates: Explore exciting career opportunities and discover roles that match your skills and ambitions.
Explore our open positions today.
Would you like to be part of our growth? We are currently hiring for Grafton.
Discover our open internal positions on our career page
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[post_content] => News - From Milanese start-up to industry leader
Gi Group Holding turns 25. The founder, Stefano Colli-Lanzi, shares his vision for the future.
Stefano Colli-Lanzi celebrates a 25-year story that led the Italian employment agency to become one of the world’s leading HR players, announcing 100 mln euros annual plan of investments in acquisitions for the next 2 years.
The ability to fully understand the rapidly changing labour market, to develop new businesses and services, and a strong drive for internationalisation are the underlying themes of the Gi Group Holding’s entrepreneurial history, and that of its CEO, Stefano Colli-Lanzi.
The goal for the near future? €6 billion revenue by 2024
/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Gi-Group-Holding_Corporate-Video.mp4
Milan, Italy - 27 February 2023
In 1998, Stefano Colli-Lanzi, at that time a consultant, saw new regulations in the Italian market as an opportunity to enter the HR world, by launching the first Italian staffing company.
25 years later, he is at the helm of one of the leading global HR services and consulting companies, Gi Group Holding, with more than 8,000 employees (+1,500 more than 2022) and a presence in 34 countries worldwide.
Its steady growth, through even the most turbulent periods of this quarter century, like the pandemic and the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, has led to an increase in turnover from €1,581 MLN in 2015 to over €3.6 billion in 2022 (preliminary results)
Over the years, Gi Group Holding’s management has pursued a strategic approach to business growth: developing the company’s services (although Temporary and Permanent Staffing is still the main driver of revenue growth) while acquiring new businesses, thus becoming a true global ecosystem of HR services.
Throughout the company’s history, strategic investments and M&A operations have advanced its capacity for growth and resilience: in this regard, last autumn Gi Group Holding announced its 50th acquisition (The Bridge, an HR technology consultancy focused on building and scaling up digital capabilities for multinational businesses). Today, international revenues contribute about 53% (47% in Italy) of the Group’s revenues.
This anniversary is certainly an appropriate time to celebrate what has been done, so I would first like to address all the people who have contributed and continue to contribute every day to this project, which aims to seize the opportunity (and the responsibility) of contributing to the positive evolution of society, through work. But on occasions like these it is also important to lay foundations for the future. Over the coming years, the Group intends to continue on our current trajectory, increasing revenue from our international business from 50% to 70%. On the offer side, we will increasingly focus on verticalisation, diversification of solutions and progressive improvement of margins. Therefore, we planned an annual investment of 100 mln/€ in acquisition for the next 2 years. We have a very clear goal on the horizon: €6 billion by 2024
Stefano Colli-Lanzi, Gi Group Holding Founder & CEO
Also referring to the Group’s expansion, Stefano Colli-Lanzi, sole shareholder of Gi Group Holding, said – “Our approach has enabled the Group to recognise the work of all employees worldwide, but also to develop a bold acquisition strategy.”
Besides its growth trajectory, the Group has been guided for 25 years by a clear purpose: to contribute to the evolution of the labour market and to embrace the ambitious opportunity – and responsibility – to change people’s lives for the better. Stefano Colli-Lanzi continued: “Work has the power to generate priceless personal and social value, the Italian mindset underpins our organisation and is reflected in the Fondazione Gi Group for Sustainable Work. Sustainable Work means achieving living and working conditions that support people so they can find and stay at work throughout their active lives, without compromising the ability of future generations to enter or remain in the workforce”.
Drawing on his experience as a father and a university professor, in constant dialogue with young people, Stefano Colli-Lanzi highlights 3 drivers to attract them – which remains the main challenge for the current labour market: focus on practice rather than theory, give them the opportunity to have a positive impact on society, ensure work-life balance.
Regarding the economic outlook, the war in Europe is a major concern for Colli-Lanzi, who is nonetheless positive about economic recovery. On the labour market front, what worries him is the skill mismatch, which affects all the countries where the Holding operates. Along with training and reskilling, international mobility will be – and in some countries already is – the key to overcoming the candidate shortage.
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[post_content] => News - Acquisition in Switzerland and Lichtenstein
Gi Group Holding acquires Eupro Holding AG
A leading recruitment and human resources player in Switzerland and Lichtenstein, one more significant step in the company’s path to becoming a fully global HR ecosystem.
Milan, Italy (1st December 2022)
Gi Group Holding today announced the acquisition of Eupro Holding AG, a group of leading Swiss-based companies (“Eupro”) focused on the recruitment and human resources industry. The transaction further highlights the strong growth trajectory for Gi Group Holding, as a leader in the global staffing and recruitment industry through an HR ecosystem that offers a full suite of tailored solutions through seven complementary brands present in 29 countries worldwide.
Indeed, between 2020 and 2021 alone, the company completed eight strategic acquisitions, with an additional four expected by the end of 2022 (including EUpro). Specifically, the addition of EUpro to Gi Group Holding will significantly elevate the Milan-based group’s footprint and capabilities in Switzerland and the Principality of Lichtenstein, bringing its total temporary and permanent staffing business to €120 million in annual revenues, in addition to its Jobtome brand presence, which counts with €35 million in revenues. Today, with the addition of EUpro Holding, Gi Group Holding’s strength in Switzerland and Lichtenstein counts with 21 branches across 19 Cantons (regions) and more than 90 employees, placing roughly 3,600 candidates a year through 1,400 total clients. More specifically, now Gi Group Holding is placed amongst the top 15 players in the industry and number one in the Ticino Cantonu
Gi Group Holding is thrilled to welcome Eupro Holdings as part of our global HR ecosystem. This acquisition allows us to consolidate our position as a leading provider of recruitment services also in Switzerland and Lichtenstein. It is a crucial step in further developing our position as one of the biggest providers of HR services in Europe.
Stefano Colli-Lanzi, Gi Group Holding Founder & CEO
Eupro, since its founding in 1997, has grown into 2 brands in 2022 (Eupro, BauTech AG), providing clients with temporary or permanent staffing service, with a primary focus on the construction and manufacturing industries. Eupro is a member of Swisstaffing, the national association of recruitment agencies, and is ISO 9001 certified with compliant quality management systems.
Eupro’s integration into Gi Group Holding is a testament to the hard work of our passionate staff who, since our founding in 1997, have worked as true, trusted partners for our clients and candidates, ultimately creating a strong footprint within Switzerland and Lichtenstein; one that will now be exponentially amplified thanks to our entry into a company with true global capabilities and vision. We look forward to this next and exciting chapter.
Oliver Diesl, CEO of Eupro – and effective immediately – Gi Group Temp & Perm Switzerland Business Manager
Effective immediately, Eupro will begin a rebranding process into Gi Group Holding, with the exception of BauTech AG, which is expected to be rebranded in 2024.
Advisors:
Financial: Accuracy
Renato Vigezzi, Partner
Davide Bordo, Senior Manager
Darko Schwarzberger, Director
Financial: Accuracy
Paolo Bottini, Partner
Andrea Ziswiler, Senior Associate
Michel Morelato, Senior Associate
Gi Group Holding people involved in the Acquisition:
Maurizio Uboldi, Head of M&A
Gabriele Cagini, Global M&A Project Manager
Daniele Merlerati, Regional Head - APAC, Switzerland, Lithuania
Dario dell'Osa, Global Legal Senior Director
Nicola Dell'Edera, Global Chief Financial & Procurement Officer
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Holding News - 05/03/2026pippo
Holding News - 13/01/2026pippo
Holding News - 27/02/2023
