{
  "id": 3034219,
  "title": "Kühne-Stiftung: Graue Eminenz der Schweizer Wirtschaft: Thomas Staehelin übernimmt Kühnes Erbe",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/kuhne-stiftung-graue-eminenz-der-schweizer-wirtschaft-thomas",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-24T13:38:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/dienstleister/kuehne-stiftung-thomas-staehelin-uebernimmt-kuehnes-erbe/100249265.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "With the passing of logistics magnate Klaus-Michael Kühne, a lawyer named Thomas Staehelin is set to take the helm of the approximately 30 billion Swiss franc estate. Staehelin, a partner at the Basel law firm Fromer Schultheiss & Staehelin, is expected to become the new president of the Kühne-Stiftung, which manages the deceased's holdings. The Swiss lawyer, known for his numerous board positions and as a former president of the Basel Chamber of Commerce, is recognized as a gray eminence of the Swiss economy. He previously controlled companies such as Swissport, Lenzerheide Mountain Rails, the private bank Scobag, the Radisson hotel chain, and the fitness company Kieser. The late vice president of the Kühne-Stiftung, who was already 78 years old, had a shortage of experience. Staehelin, however, had already been the long-time confidant of Klaus-Michael Kühne's father, Alfred, and supported him in relocating the former freight forwarding company to Switzerland in the early 1960s. Alfred Kühne moved the firm there in 1969, and later the company relocated to Schindellegi near Zurich. Their son Klaus-Michael Kühne founded the Kühne-Stiftung in 1976, a non-profit organization under Swiss law that is supposed to hold the patriarch's company assets. The foundation's earnings come from the Kühne Holding's investments, which include stakes in Kühne + Nagel (55 percent), Hapag-Lloyd, Flix, Lufthansa, and the chemical transporter Brenntag. About 800 foundation employees engage in mostly charitable projects focused on logistics, climate, medicine, and culture, often supported by Kühne's widow Christine. Staehelin is likely to control Switzerland's third-largest fortune, following only the Roche family and the Chanel co-owners Wertheimer. Staehelin himself is part of Switzerland's upper economic class, thanks to his wife Monique Staehelin-Bonnard, who is an heir to the Swiss elevator manufacturer Schindler. Their son Tobias, 48, could potentially become the next successor. If Staehelin's age were to limit his involvement in the Kühne-Stiftung, a succession from his family would also be available. Tobias Staehelin has been on the Kühne-Stiftung council since 2023 and has also gained operational experience at Kühne + Nagel International as Executive Director. Klaus-Michael Kühne himself had previously expressed concerns to the Handelsblatt about whether his grandson Tobias would take over as the Kühne-Stiftung's president in an emergency. After all, Tobias Staehelin is the youngest on the council and has pursued a career outside the Kühne conglomerate, serving on the board of the elevator manufacturer Schindler, where his mother still holds a significant share of stock. Staehelin also served on the board of the Schindler company, despite being outside the Kühne conglomerate.",
  "summary": "Der Anwalt aus Basel steht seit mehr als einem Jahr als möglicher Nachfolger des in der Nacht zum Montag verstorbenen Patriarchen Klaus-Michael Kühne fest. Auch Staehelin junior regiert mit.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}