World Economic Forum chief steps down over Epstein links
Make us a preferred source
Make us a preferred source on Google
The news: President and chief executive of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Børge Brende, has stepped down from his role following a WEF investigation into his ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The context: In a press release published Thursday, Brende said that after 8.5 years in the post, he has decided to step down after careful consideration. The statement made no mention of Epstein or the WEF investigation.
A tranche of documents in the Epstein files released by the US Department of Justice revealed that Brende had arranged to meet at the financier’s home in New York for dinner in 2018 and 2019. When the WEF opened the probe into its chief’s ties to Epstein, Brende said he was unaware of Epstein’s past but admitted he should have investigated him more thoroughly.
Swiss businessman Alois Zwinggi will serve as interim president and chief executive while the board oversees the leadership transition.
“We wish to express our sincere appreciation for Børge Brende’s significant contributions to the World Economic Forum”, co-chairs of the WEF André Hoffmann and Larry Fink said of Brende’s resignation. “His dedication and leadership have been instrumental during a pivotal period of reforms for the organisation, leading to a successful annual meeting in Davos. We respect his decision to step down.”
Earlier this week, the UK’s former ambassador to the US, Lord Peter Mandelson, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Former US secretary of state and first lady is due to testify before US congressional lawmakers’ probe into Epstein later on Thursday.
