Career biography

Dr. Pascal Kistler is a highly experienced legal executive with over 20 years in the financial services industry, specialising in asset management, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance. As head legal and compliance at Swiss Life Asset Managers, he leads cross-jurisdictional legal strategy and ensures resilient compliance frameworks that support sustainable business growth in a complex regulatory environment.

Dr. Kistler began his legal career as a university assistant at the University of Zurich, where he also earned his doctorate in law. He went on to hold various senior legal roles at Credit Suisse. At UBS Asset Management, he spent over 13 years as head legal EMEA & Switzerland, where he played a pivotal role in shaping legal strategy across multiple regions and navigating evolving regulatory landscapes.

Recognised for his pragmatic and business-focused approach, Pascal consistently advocates for lean governance structures and streamlined legal operations. His leadership style is collaborative and forward-thinking, fostering high-performing teams that align legal strategy with commercial objectives.

His academic credentials include executive programs at IMD and SDA Bocconi, underscoring his commitment to continuous learning and thought leadership. Dr. Kistler brings a multicultural lens to legal problem-solving and stakeholder engagement.

Dr. Kistler is widely respected for his integrity, strategic foresight, and ability to balance legal risk with business opportunity, but also his capacity to drive transformation and resilience within legal departments.