PhD in History, University of Zurich. Lieutenant Colonel (General Staff) in the Swiss Armed Forces. 1990, joined the diplomatic service of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA); has held numerous senior management positions. Former Head, Human Security Division, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Switzerland’s competence centre for peace, human rights, and humanitarian and migration policy. 2010-15, Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), serving as Chair of the Permanent Council during Switzerland’s 2014 OSCE Chairmanship. Former Deputy Director-General, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, overseeing an annual budget of $730 million and 900 staff in Bern and abroad. Since 18 July 2017, Secretary-General of the OSCE. Author of a number of publications on military history, conflict management, peacekeeping, development and human rights. Recipient, OSCE white ribbon for long-standing support for gender equality (2012).