“Recruitment is About People, Not Just Placements”

In the March edition of the Gi Group Switzerland B2B Blog, we sit down with Balz M.  Villiger, Country Manager Switzerland, to discuss who Gi Group Switzerland is, what sets the company apart, its values, and why he is passionate about leading the organization. 

Balz, for those who may not be familiar, can you tell us about Gi Group Switzerland and what the organization does?
Balz Villiger: Gi Group Switzerland is part of Gi Group Holding, one of the global leaders in workforce solutions. It is a family-owned Italian company. Here in Switzerland, we specialize in connecting clients with the right talent through temporary staffing, permanent recruitment, and tailored HR services. Whether it’s navigating seasonal peaks, finding niche expertise, or managing rapid growth, we have the knowledge and tools to support companies across the Swiss market. 

What makes Gi Group Switzerland stand out from its competitors?
Balz: With 40 offices and teams across all regions of Switzerland, we understand the local dynamics and labor market specifics. This allows us to provide tailored support that reflects regional trends and company needs. On top of this, we have specialized teams who have in-depth knowledge in specific sectors. Let me make an example: In the healthcare sector, where staffing challenges are critical, we stand out with our people-focused approach. Our team members at the Bern Medical Branch have a background in nursing and healthcare, and our Life Sciences Teams bring colleagues with PhDs and Doctor qualifications to the table. They understand both the professional and human aspects of workforce needs. This creates trust and ensures quality, so we can act as a true partner to healthcare institutions, relieving pressure and delivering real impact where it matters most.  

Gi Group in Switzerland

What do the company values mean to you, and how do they shape the way you work?
Balz: It may sound like a cliché, but I can truly say that values are at the heart of everything we do, and two stand out in particular: care and sustainability. Care means we prioritize people—whether it’s clients, candidates, or our own employees. We’re not just filling roles; we’re building relationships and creating solutions that have a lasting impact. For example, we ensure every candidate is placed in a role that matches their skills and aspirations, while every client receives personalized support to meet their goals. But care goes beyond individual placements—it’s about creating sustainable work. We are committed to fostering long-term employability, fair and inclusive workplaces, and continuous learning. Sustainability in our industry means providing career pathways, upskilling opportunities, and work environments that are ethical, equitable, and future-ready. At Gi Group Switzerland, we believe that work should be more than just a job—it should be a means of personal and professional fulfillment. 

What do you personally love about working for Gi Group?
Balz: It’s a privilege to work with such a talented and motivated team. Our leadership team’s diversity is not just an asset—it’s a source of strength that enables us to adapt and innovate in a rapidly changing world. But beyond that, our over 200 team members across Switzerland are the foundation of our success. Their deep industry expertise and strong local market knowledge allow us to provide tailored workforce solutions that truly meet the needs of our clients. Every single one of them plays a key role in building and maintaining relationships with businesses, understanding their unique challenges, and finding the right talent to help them grow.  

Finally, I’m passionate about how we contribute to businesses and individuals alike. We’re not just solving staffing problems; we’re helping companies strengthen their workforce, and we’re providing meaningful career opportunities for people.  

What’s your vision for Gi Group Switzerland?
Balz: In 2024, we dedicated significant effort to the post-merger integration, bringing together my former employer Kelly Services Switzerland and three other companies under Gi Group Holding. This was a complex but ultimately successful transformation, and today, our team is stronger and ready to go! However, integration is an ongoing journey, and we still have important areas to refine—especially in aligning our IT systems to ensure seamless operations. Looking ahead, 2025 is about strengthening our position as the leading HR partner in Switzerland. Our goal is not just to meet today’s workforce challenges, but to anticipate and shape the future of work with innovative, scalable, and people-centric solutions. At Gi Group, we don’t just connect talent with opportunities; we create meaningful career paths, empower businesses, and drive real change. Our focus remains on agility, impact, and placing people at the center of everything we do.  

Who is Balz outside of work? What are your hobbies and interests?
I am a family person. I live with my wife and our two children in a multigenerational house, much like I grew up myself. As a child, my grandmother, who made me lunch while my parents worked, lived on the ground floor of our multistorey house. This sense of community and open doors still shapes me today – if something comes up, we help each other. Already as a young boy, I was fascinated by history and culture. I then wrote my Matura thesis about the Empress Elisabeth’ influence on politics – a rather unusual topic back then. Good food and good wine are just as important to me as long conversations with friends. I cherish my network also in my private life, where I enjoy cooking for friends and family – I spend a long time in the kitchen planning and preparing a delicious meal for my guests. I still play golf regularly and love skiing… and I have a great passion for classic cars. As the ninth generation of a family of entrepreneurs – my cousin now leads the family enterprise –, I believe in personal responsibility, but also in the importance of social engagement. We are fortunate to be able to determine how we work and live – and for me, this also means combining this success with responsibility. 

About Balz Villiger
Balz is Country Manager of Gi Group Switzerland, where he leads the organization in delivering innovative workforce solutions and driving sustainable growth in the talent market. Previously, he was Vice President and Country Manager Switzerland & Group Leader Benelux at Kelly Services for more than 3 years. In early 2024, Kelly was acquired by Gi Group Holding, an integration process that Balz and his team successfully managed. With a proven track record in strategic leadership, sales and marketing and workforce solutions, Balz is a board member of swissstaffing, the association representing staff leasing companies in Switzerland, where he helps shape industry standards and actively supports temporary work solutions. He studied economics at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts and holds an Executive MBA from the Università della Svizzera italiana USI, the Singapore Management University SMU and the University of California Los Angeles UCLA.  

Connect with Balz on LinkedIn: Balz M. Villiger | LinkedIn 

Contact Balz via e-mail : balz.villiger@gigroupholding.com