Stockholm (NordSIP) – The Board of BlueOrchard has made some changes to its leadership team. At the executive level, it appointed Michael Wehrle (Pictured, right), Head of Investment Solutions & Private Equity at BlueOrchard and member of the Executive Management Team, as Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Philipp Mueller, subject to regulatory approval. BlueOrchard’s Chief Impact and Blended Finance Officer, Maria Teresa Zappia (Pictured, left), has also been nominated to join the Board of Directors at the upcoming General Assembly, subject to pre-approval of the regulator.
The Next Step in the Succession Plan
The appointments appear to be part of a changing of the guard at BlueOrchard, ensuring that the right people are in place to ensure the continuity of the firm’s vision going forward.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank Philipp for his exceptional contribution to BlueOrchard over the past years. Under Philipp’s leadership, BlueOrchard further enhanced its impact investment offering and increased its AuM to USD 5 billion, achieving a major milestone. We wish him the very best for his future endeavours,” said Peter Fanconi, Chairman of BlueOrchard.
“With Michael as CEO and Maria Teresa Zappia as a new Board member, we are taking the next step in our long-term succession plan, ensuring we have a proven and experienced team to drive our growth strategy. We wish Michael and Maria Teresa every success in their new roles,” Georg Wunderlin, CEO of Schroders Capital, explained.
A Strong and Proven Internal Successor
Wehrle has over 20 years of experience in the management of investments across public and private markets. He joined BlueOrcard in 2021 and is currently the Head of Investment Solutions & Private Equity and a member of the Executive Management Team, in which capacities he oversees the portfolio management and asset allocation of the firm’s funds and mandates. He is responsible for the development of product solutions and chairs several Investment Committees. Prior to joining BlueOrchard, Wehrle held various management roles at Partners Group in Switzerland and the UK. He is a CFA Charterholder and holds a Master’s degree in Banking & Finance from the University of Zurich.
“BlueOrchard has supported hundreds of millions of people in emerging and frontier markets. It is an honour to lead the firm into the next chapter. I thank the Board for its trust and look forward to strengthening BlueOrchard’s position as a market leader in impact investing,” Wehrle commented on this occasion.
Peter Fanconi, Chairman of BlueOrchard, said: “With Michael we are delighted to promote a strong and proven internal successor as our new CEO. Michael’s mandate will be to position us for future growth, advancing towards our strategic goal to deliver impact investment solutions that meet our clients’ needs. Together with our highly talented staff, he will continue to serve our clients and write the next chapter in our 25-year history.
An Impact Investment Leader
Maria Teresa Zappia is the Chief Impact & Blended Finance Officer and Deputy CEO of BlueOrchard Finance as well as the Head of Sustainability and Impact at Schroders Capital and Global Head of Impact at Schroders Group. Zappia has held various positions at BlueOrchard since 2008, including head of the investment team and chief investment officer. She oversees BlueOrchard’s blended finance mandates and impact management practices. She serves on the Advisory Board for the Operating Principles for Impact Management, as a Board member of Swiss Sustainable Finance, and on the Impact Investing Institute Advisory Council. Prior to BlueOrchard, she was a senior banker at the EBRD and holds degrees in Development Studies and Economics.
“We are very pleased to welcome Maria Teresa to the Board. Maria Teresa has been with BlueOrchard since 2008 in various positions. Her elevation to the Board will ensure continuity and, as one of the most influential voices in the impact investing space, Maria Teresa’s expertise will significantly contribute to the Board. I congratulate Maria Teresa on her expanded role.”
