The Future Council

Be yourself. Be unique. is our series broadcasting unique role models, sharing innovative ways of working and celebrating diversity within PwC Switzerland.

The Future Council

_{Published on 17 April 2018}

What is the Future Council?

“The Talent Council” would be another way of describing it. Fourteen young, smart employees from PwC Switzerland have joined this initiative. On the one hand, we want to promote young talent, and on the other hand, include their perspectives on issues that are decisive for PwC’s future.

Why does PwC need this kind of council?

The initiative represents one of our core values: work together. This means maintaining relationships, sharing knowledge, combining diverse viewpoints, people and ideas as well as giving and requesting feedback. On the Future Council, we bring together young and old, proven and innovative concepts, as well as spiritual and cultural diversity. This is essential in order to look at things from a different perspective, improve ourselves and move forwards.

What is the Future Council’s role?

The Future Council holds informal discussions twice a year with the CEO and the Human Capital Leader at PwC Switzerland. Other committees can also consult with the Council and discuss future-related themes with its members. There is no fixed agenda, however we are totally convinced that this level of exchange is extremely valuable.

Who are the members of the Future Council?

The fourteen members come from different fields of business within PwC Switzerland and represent different locations, working models and hierarchy levels. One thing that they all have in common is that they have voluntarily taken up their positions on the Council. And they are all highly committed to PwC, demonstrate confident behaviour, are eloquent, have a critical mindset, are extremely open and are not afraid to tackle challenging issues.

What benefits does the Future Council bring to the business?

First and foremost, the perspectives of the Y and Z Generations, since they represent our future. What the old hands are developing today will be implemented and lived by the young guns tomorrow. Therefore, it makes sense to involve them in the strategy and design process now. Through the Future Council, we also take a cross-divisional approach to working, transferring knowledge and preventing a silo mentality. This encourages a culture of togetherness as well as our diversity strategy. And lastly, through this initiative we are also nurturing young talent. Those who become members of this Council demonstrate valuable leadership qualities.

How do the members of the Council benefit themselves?

The Future Council provides them with a platform where they gain exposure at management level and help to shape the future of PwC. This model already exists in other regions of Europe, which means that supranational synergies are being harnessed. In doing so, the members of the Council are creating and expanding their European PwC network.

How do the members of the Future Council know if they have done their job well?

Whenever a Council member has provided advice at a meeting, each committee provides feedback on two aspects afterwards: What the participants have said and how they said it. At both informal discussions, they each receive an update on the status of the advisory mandates. The members can assess the quality of their contribution during these feedback sessions.

Inclusion – the key to successful diversity

We want to have a true team, a team in which all employees at PwC feel welcome and appreciated. Inclusion in this context means a working environment that encourages different points of view and welcomes the contributions of all employees, regardless of their gender, origin or sexual orientation. In such an environment, they will be able to grow both on a professional and a personal level. The basis for this is our Ethics Code; it creates the necessary trust. Moreover, it encourages a corporate culture that favours and embraces integrity, objectivity, work ethics and competence.

Diversity

Every business line has its own diversity network of colleagues from different departments and levels. These networks tackle relevant topics in conjunction with Inclusion & Diversity. For example, the Tax & Legal network currently deals with the question of how we need to diversify our skillset in view of the steadily increasing use of artificial intelligence.

Flexibility – because the future is flexible and agile

Our credo is: We give flexibility and expect it in return, so that we can create a win-win situation not only for our clients, but also for our employees and for PwC Switzerland.

“We are the future. We want to shape it with you!”

Be yourself. Be unique. is our series broadcasting unique role models, sharing innovative ways of working and celebrating diversity within PwC Switzerland.