The head of a prominent consulting firm to Swiss banks has stumbled over a sexual harassment scandal involving another of the firm's partners. It is a rare high-profile resignation over allegations of harassment in the Swiss corporate world.
The country manager of EY in Switzerland, Marcel Stalder, is stepping down, according to an internal memo seen by finews.com. The consulting firm said it would inform on succession plans and a reinforcement of its Swiss board shortly. Stalder, a financial services expert, was ensnared in allegations against another, undisclosed EY partner who was suspended last year over alleged sexual advances toward a female employee.
The firm initially found that the partner had done nothing wrong, but the scandal has bubbled to the surface again thanks to several reports in Swiss media. The exit of Stalder, who isn't accused of any wrongdoing, is a bid by EY to restore trust in the firm again.
Stalder will remain with EY, and keep his other role as regional market head for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. He had taken the country head job nearly three years ago.
