1 August 2018. Dr. Peter Fankhauser was born on 18 November 1960. He studied International Relations at the University of St.Gallen. After acquiring his Licentiate in 1985, in 1989 he graduated as a Dr. rer. publ. (Doctor of Administrative Sciences), likewise at the University of St.Gallen. In 1989 he began his long career in the travel industry at Kuoni, where he was responsible for the growth of the International Division (Europe and Overseas): first as the Head of Corporate Development Kuoni Group (1989-1994), then as the CEO of Kuoni Deutschland (1994/95) finally being in charge of Europe and overseas business, then becoming a Member of the Board (1995-1999). Following this he moved to the LTU Group, where he successfully led the turnaround of the company as CEO (1999-2001).

Management positions in the Thomas Cook Group

In the past 17 years Dr. Peter Fankhauser has held a succession of leadership positions in the Thomas Cook Group. In recognition of the successful turnaround of the UK business in his function as CEO UK and Central Europe, he was appointed Chief Operating Officer in November 2013. Since November 2014 he has been CEO of the Thomas Cook Group.

Commitment to education and executive education

Alongside his professional career, Dr. Peter Fankhauser is heavily involved in education and executive education. As such, he has been a member of Honorary Committee of the University of Geneva since 2011 and since 2013 a member of the Advisory Board of the École Hotelière Lausanne. In addition, from 1989-2007 he taught in the Strategic Leadership Workshop of the Swiss Courses for Corporate Management (SKU).

Teaching in various HSG programmes

Dr. Peter Fankhauser has many links to the University of St.Gallen. He has very successfully contributed to various programmes at HSG. He teaches on the topics of strategy, business models, customer focus, international management, leadership and business transformation, as well as teaching courses within the Master of Strategy and International Management (SIM), in executive education in the Advanced Management Programme (AMP), and in the Executive MBA (EMBA) module Integrative Management.

Dr. Peter Fankhauser is currently supporting the Executive School in their development of a new executive education format for experienced management personnel, the International Advanced Management Programme. Among other things, the goal of the programme is to support the Executive School with its internationalisation activities. This will above all be beneficial for the FT European Business School Ranking and the FT International Open Enrolment Ranking.

Through the appointment of Dr. Peter Fankhauser as Honorary Professor of Business Administration the University of St.Gallen has acquired an excellent Swiss and European economic personality.

Photo: Thomas Cook Group