World Economic Forum (WEF) President and CEO Borge Brende has resigned following reports that he exchanged emails and text messages with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In a statement, WEF Co-Chairs Andre Hoffmann and Larry Fink announced that Alois Zwinggi will serve as interim president and CEO during the leadership transition.
Brende, who has led the Forum since 2017, said his decision to step down came after the US Justice Department revealed that he had attended three business dinners with Epstein and exchanged emails and messages with him.
After careful consideration, I have decided to step down as President and CEO of the World Economic Forum. My time here, spanning eight and a half years, has been profoundly rewarding, Brende said on Thursday. “I am grateful for the incredible collaboration with my colleagues, partners, and constituents, and I believe now is the right moment for the Forum to continue its important work without distractions.”
Although Brende did not explicitly mention Epstein in his statement, the WEF had earlier commissioned an independent investigation into his interactions with Epstein.
The Forum said the independent review, conducted by outside counsel, found no additional concerns beyond what had already been disclosed.
In light of these interactions, the Governing Board requested the Audit and Risk Committee to examine the matter, which subsequently initiated an independent review, the WEF said in a statement. “This decision underscores the Forum’s commitment to transparency and maintaining its integrity.”
The co-chairs confirmed that Alois Zwinggi will serve as interim CEO while the Board of Trustees oversees the leadership transition and develops a process to appoint a permanent successor.
