Swiss Resident Director & Independent Director Services
Meet the Swiss residency requirement with an independent, engaged office holder and board-level governance.
Who We Serve
Make Switzerland Your Strategic Advantage
We work with ambitious founders and executives who are looking to establish or expand operations in Switzerland.
International Companies
International / Multinational corporations that want to establish (or have existing) operations in Switzerland, and require local representation.
- Swiss corporate law (Art. 718 para. 4 CO for an AG/ltd, or Art. 814 para. 3 CO for a GmbH/llc) mandates that Swiss companies must have at least one representative that resides in Switzerland.
- Indicator of substance and long-term regulatory alignment.
- Enhanced credibility with regulators, banks, and business partners.
- Discharge of the statutory duties of a Swiss office holder.
Swiss Startups & SME's
Swiss Startups and SME’s that are looking for a competitive edge to expand and optimize their operations, by installing a formal board.
- Evaluating corporate objectives, strategies, and KPI’s, while offering a fresh external perspective.
- Board-level oversight of digital transformation and innovation.
- Caretaking of the corporate governance, risk and compliance responsibilities placed on the board.
- Establishing and/ or streamlining and strengthening the board of directors.
What We Offer
Strategic Solutions to Establish or Expand in Switzerland
Board Mandates
Swiss resident director, independent director, branch representative and board advisor appointments, held personally by our principal, with independent judgment and full accountability for the office.
Swiss Resident Director (Board Member)
We serve as the Swiss-resident member of your board of directors, meeting the residency requirement of Art. 718 para. 4 CO for an AG or Art. 814 para. 3 CO for a GmbH. We carry the full duties of a board member, with independent judgment.
- Entry in the commercial register with signing authority
- Quarterly board meetings and the annual general meeting
- Sole or joint appointment, chair role optional
Swiss Resident Director (Non-Board Member)
We serve as your Swiss-resident authorized officer (Direktor), registered with signing authority but not a member of the board. The appointment meets the same residency requirement under the Code of Obligations, while board seats and decision-making stay with your own team.
- Entry in the commercial register as an authorized officer
- Official point of contact for Swiss authorities
- Sole or joint signing authority, as agreed
Swiss Branch Representative
A Swiss branch of a foreign company must have a representative resident in Switzerland, registered in the commercial register with signing authority. We take on that role and act as the branch’s point of contact with Swiss authorities.
- Entry in the commercial register with signing authority
- Official point of contact for Swiss authorities
- Regular reporting to the foreign head office
Independent / Non-Executive Director
We join your board as an independent, non-executive member, bringing an outside view to strategy, risk and governance. The role suits companies formalizing their board, preparing for investors, or adding experience the current board lacks.
- Strategic challenge and decision support
- Oversight of governance, risk and compliance
- Entry in the commercial register as a board member
Board Advisor
We join your advisory board as an independent member, giving founders and directors counsel without holding a statutory office. There is no entry in the commercial register and no board seat, so decisions and statutory duties stay with your directors.
- AI strategy, adoption and governance
- Blockchain, digital assets and tokenization
- Swiss governance, regulation and market entry
Not Sure Which Role Fits?
Let’s discuss the appointment your company needs.
Who We Are
Your Strategic Partner for Governance & Compliance
Beyond directorship formality, effective governance & compliance is a real strategic asset.
Marco van der Weijden is a Swiss board director and strategic advisor, based in Zurich. He is a steward for DeepTech companies building in Switzerland. Marco accepts independent non-executive appointments and serves as a Swiss resident director. He advises founders, executives and boards on AI, governance, compliance and transformation strategy.
More than twenty-five years in technology and telecommunications: transformation programs at Swisscom, then the Swiss business of the IT consultancy TMNS, which he established and ran as managing director. Since 2015 he has run an independent advisory practice, and has worked in blockchain and digital assets since 2017, advising more than fifteen startup ventures across Europe, the United States and Asia.
Registered officer of five Swiss companies, three as a board member and two as managing director, he has founded or co-founded three ventures and served two companies from incorporation through liquidation to deletion.
Why Work With Us?
Whether you’re expanding into Switzerland, launching a token, or building a long-term operation — We help make it real, legal, and respected. The depth and breadth of our expertise allow us to bring exceptional insight and strategic value to every client, no matter your unique requirements or strategy.
Swiss: Privacy & Confidentiality
Independent, Personal & Selective
Tailored To Your Specific Requirements
AI-powered Efficiency & Oversight
Multilingual & Cultural Fluency
Engaged, Not Nominal
How It Works
Straightforward Approach to Client Onboarding
01.
Intro Call
Discuss your requirements and assess fit
02.
Onboarding
Non-binding proposal, KYB/KYC, due diligence
03.
Mandate Setup
Contract signed, D&O insurance confirmed
04.
Registry Filing
Appointment registered with the commercial register
05.
Execution
Board meetings, statutory duties, governance support
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Swiss resident director to form a company in Switzerland?
Yes. Swiss law requires at least one person resident in Switzerland to be a board member or director of a GmbH or AG (Art. 718 para. 4 CO for an AG/ltd, or Art. 814 para. 3 CO for a GmbH/llc).
Do you accept board positions abroad (outside of Switzerland)?
Yes, absolutely. Please reach out to discuss further.
Can you help with incorporation?
Incorporation is not part of our service. We can accept a director appointment at formation, with the incorporation itself handled by your notary or a formation provider.
What types of companies do you work with?
Swiss-based and international companies that want to establish an entity in Switzerland. Startups, SME’s / SMB’s, Large corporations. Private and public companies. Limited liability companies (LLC, GmbH, Sarl). Limited companies (Ltd, AG, SA). Subsidiaries, branches, holding companies.
How quickly can we get started?
It typically takes 2–3 weeks from onboarding to commercial registration.
How much does it cost?
We tailor our services to your specific requirements. In the non-binding proposal we will present packaged pricing, with monthly and (discounted) annual payment options. D&O insurance provision is mandatory. Pricing does not include third party and local authorities fees.
Do you accept crypto payments?
Yes, of course. Payment accepted in selected cryptocurrencies, from a wallet attributed to the contracting entity, subject to screening and to the same onboarding checks as any other payment method. Services will be invoiced in CHF. Please inquire for details.
What do you not offer?
Five things commonly bundled with resident office mandates are deliberately outside of our service offering:
Registered office and domiciliation. Providing a registered address to a legal entity for more than six months is a supervised activity under the revised Anti-Money Laundering Act. We do not provide it. Where a registered address is required, we introduce a specialized provider at no charge, and that provider contracts with and invoices the company directly.
Formation and administration of non-operational entities. Domicile and letterbox companies, shelf companies, and entities not established or managed to conduct or support the operational activity of a business or a group, are outside our scope. This is a condition of engagement, not a preference.
Nominee and passive appointments.
Company administration. Corporate secretarial work, incorporation and the coordination of third-party service providers are not part of our service. Your own team or a specialized provider handles them.
Banking access. No bank signing authority is sought, and sole banking authority is declined if offered. Payment authority should sit with the operational management. That separation protects both parties. Read-only access to banking and accounting applications are mandatory to fulfill the directorship mandate.
These boundaries are deliberate. They keep the service focused on operating businesses with real activity in Switzerland, which is the only setting in which a genuinely engaged office holder makes sense.
What are the advantages of Switzerland for companies?
Switzerland provides a unique combination of low risk, low taxes, skilled staff, modern infrastructure, and excellent access to European and world markets, making it exceptionally attractive for establishing a company.
Political and Economic Stability
Switzerland is known for its consistent political system and resilient economy, providing a predictable and safe environment for businesses to operate and grow. This low-risk atmosphere is highly attractive to investors and entrepreneurs.
Favorable Tax Environment
The Swiss corporate tax system is competitive, with rates typically lower than many other European countries, sometimes ranging from 12% to 24% depending on the canton. Some regions and business types even benefit from generous tax incentives or exemptions, especially for innovation and export-focused activities.
Strategic Location and Market Access
Centrally located in Europe, Switzerland gives companies direct, unhindered access to European Union markets and benefits from world-class transportation infrastructure, facilitating cross-border business and logistics.
Skilled and Multilingual Workforce
Switzerland boasts one of the most highly trained and multilingual workforces worldwide, increasing business productivity and enabling companies to work effectively in international markets.
Quality Infrastructure and Innovation
Entrepreneurs can leverage modern and efficient infrastructure, including advanced IT and transport systems, supporting both manufacturing and tech-driven business models. Switzerland is also recognized for its innovative ecosystem and strong emphasis on research and development.
Flexible Labor and Business Laws
Swiss labor laws are relatively flexible, allowing for tailored employment contracts and reduced mandatory social charges, lowering costs for employers compared to other Western European countries.
Business-Friendly Regulatory Environment
Starting a company in Switzerland involves straightforward registration and relatively simple management procedures, with a wide range of business structures tailored to different enterprise types and growth ambitions. Swiss regulations also provide for business privacy and commercial discretion.
Reputation and Credibility
Swiss companies benefit from the country’s global reputation for transparency, reliability, and professionalism, which enhances credibility and opens doors to global markets, investors, and business partnerships.
Business, Customer, and Financial Confidentiality
Swiss law is historically recognized for emphasizing business secrecy, client confidentiality, and financial privacy, particularly in sectors like finance, healthcare, and technology. Corporate information and customer data are protected by both strong civil and criminal penalties in cases of unauthorized disclosure.
Strict Data Protection and Privacy Laws
Switzerland has enacted a new Federal Act on Data Protection (nFADP, effective 2023), which aligns closely with the EU’s GDPR. This ensures comprehensive protection for individuals’ data with obligations such as privacy by design, privacy by default, mandatory breach notification, and strict rules on profiling and data transfers. Swiss companies benefit by reassuring international clients and partners that their sensitive information is well protected—bolstering investor trust and market credibility. Furthermore, Swiss privacy standards enable seamless cross-border business with EU clients, since Switzerland is recognized as offering an “adequate level of data protection” under EU law.
Contact Us
Let's Get Started
Let us help you make Switzerland your strategic advantage — not just your mailing address.