Patrik Wermelinger to become new Director of Lucerne Business
Lucerne - The Foundation Board has appointed Patrik Wermelinger as the next Director of Lucerne Business Development. The 54-year-old currently serves as Chief Investment Promotion Officer at S-GE and previously led Lucerne’s investment promotion efforts from 2006 to 2016. He succeeds Ivan Buck, who has decided to take the next step in his career.
The Foundation Board has named Patrik Wermelinger the new Director of Lucerne Business. A Lucerne native, he is 54 and lives with his wife in Meierskappel. Wermelinger holds a degree in business administration and an Executive MBA in General Management and Leadership from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts. Since 2016, he has been Chief Investment Promotion Officer and a member of the Executive Committee at Switzerland Global Enterprise.
From 2006 to 2016, Wermelinger was Head of Investment Promotion and Marketing at Lucerne Business. In that decade, he became thoroughly familiar with the organisation, built an extensive network in the local business community and developed a strong understanding of the Lucerne economic region. He also has first-hand insight into the needs of international companies seeking to establish operations in Switzerland – expertise he further strengthened in his current role at Switzerland Global Enterprise.
Wermelinger will take up his new position on 1 June 2026. Ivan Buck will remain with the organisation until the end of February 2026 before launching his own consultancy in relationship management. Until Wermelinger arrives, Deputy Director Andreas Zettel will oversee day-to-day operations to ensure a smooth transition.
The Foundation Board expressed confidence in its choice: «Patrik Wermelinger brings deep expertise, international experience and a collaborative leadership style. We value his integrity and his ability to create positive momentum,» says Dr Erwin Steiger, Chair of the Foundation Board.
