Pascal Lüthi Appointed Director of the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security

The Swiss Federal Council appointed Pascal Lüthi as the new Director of the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG) during its meeting on August 30, 2023. He has been the Commander of the Neuchâtel Cantonal Police since 2012. Pascal Lüthi will assume his position at the BAZG on January 1, 2024.

(Bern) Pascal Lüthi is 55 years old and lives in Neuchâtel. The Romand has been the Commander of the Neuchâtel Cantonal Police for eleven years. Before his work with the Neuchâtel Cantonal Police, Lüthi was involved in private security as Head of Corporate Security at Syngenta International AG in Basel. His professional background also includes positions in the security sector at the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports (VBS) and at the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). Pascal Lüthi is a physicist from the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and earned his doctorate in natural sciences with a focus on computer science from the University of Geneva in 1998.

The position of Director of the BAZG became available following the mutual termination of the employment relationship with Christian Bock and was officially advertised. To evaluate the candidates, Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter established a broadly supported selection committee with both internal and external members. With Pascal Lüthi, a committed and responsible individual takes over the leadership of the BAZG, bringing extensive knowledge and many years of experience in the security sector, personnel management, as well as project and crisis management.

Isabella Emmenegger Remains Acting Director Until the End of 2023

Until Pascal Lüthi takes office on January 1, 2024, Isabella Emmenegger will continue to lead the BAZG’s operations as Acting Director.

Photo: © BAZG