Mentor list / Mentor bio
Overview
Calvin Grieder currently serves as Chair of the Board at Givaudan S.A. – the world's leading flavour and fragrance company—and Chair of SGS S.A., the global testing, inspection, and certification powerhouse. Since 2014, he has been Chair of Bühler Group and is a board member of Eraneos Group AG, with roles on the ETH Zurich Advisory Board and trusteeship at Avenir Suisse, reflecting his strategic influence across Swiss industrial, certification, and innovation sectors.
Calvin’s executive journey began at Georg Fischer in control systems, followed by leadership roles at Swisscom Telecom, heading mobile and internet businesses. In 2001, he became CEO of Bühler Group, transforming it into a global industrial-engineering leader. His 15-year tenure drove expansive growth in food- and feed-processing technologies, with innovation and automation deeply embedded across Bühler’s value chain.
Since transitioning to supervisory roles, Calvin has brought strategic clarity and disciplined oversight to the boards he serves. At Givaudan’s board, he has championed ESG-aligned governance, led innovation oversight through the Innovation Committee, and navigated complex issues of industrial continuity. At SGS, he chairs a global board focused on risk management, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence, while also guiding the company’s adaptation to digital transformation, evolving environmental standards, and the future of certification services.
He brings deep cross-sector expertise in:
• Industrial technology & process engineering – championing innovation in automation, sustainability, and engineering excellence across global platforms
• Corporate governance & supervisory stewardship – chairing multiple publicly listed, global boards with strong ESG and risk oversight
• Innovation & sustainability strategy – leading R&D-enabled transformation and double-materiality governance in flavour, fragrance, and food systems
• Educational & policy leadership – supporting STEM and societal development through ETH, Avenir Suisse, and advisory roles in Swiss centres of excellence
A Swiss-trained engineer (MSc ETH Zurich) with executive education from Harvard, Calvin is celebrated for technical depth, strategic clarity, and institutional influence. His trajectory—from systems engineer to global boardroom architect—offers exceptional insight for organisations balancing innovation, global standards, and leadership excellence.
PDF Profile
download pdf profileMajor Career Roles
Givaudan SA
Chair
SGS SA
Independent Chair
AWK Group
Chair
Bühler AG
Chair and former CEO
CGTech
Board member
Other Career Highlights
Swisscom
Head of Division
Implenia AG
Vice Chair
Hilti AG
Board member
Metall ZUG AG
Board member
Schleuniger AG
Chair
Debitel AG
Board member