Recently awarded the prestigious title ‘Most Admired CEO of the Year 2022,’ Rolf Blaser, CEO of A. Baur & Co. (Pvt.) Ltd. (Baurs) is recognized as an exemplary leader who has consistently delivered outstanding results and demonstrated unprecedented leadership qualities.
To begin with, Although Rolf underwent the traditional Swiss Apprenticeship education system, his enthusiasm for knowledge persisted. He deems himself an Economist and has earned a degree from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences, as well as an Executive MBA from the University of St. Gallen, both of which are located in Switzerland.
Having gained extensive experience across a range of industries, including healthcare, retail, FMCG, and consumer electronics, as well as the opportunity to work in diverse cultural environments across Europe and Asia, Rolf assumed the position of Managing Director/CEO at A. Baur & Company (Baurs) in 2017. As a Swiss national, he felt a strong connection to Baurs, which has maintained a distinguished reputation in Sri Lanka’s corporate sector for more than 125 years. He recognized this as his destiny and embraced the opportunity to lead the company forward.
Recently, Rolf completed the High-Performance Boards Program at IMD Lausanne, which offers a comprehensive approach to help boards achieve their maximum potential by combining world-class thought leadership with global best practices. Additionally, he is a member of the Rotary Club Colombo West and has been appointed as an Incoming Board Member for 2023/2024. He will also serve as the Incoming Chair of Vocational Services for the same period.
As the President of the Swiss Circle Sri Lanka, he promotes social activities and fosters friendships among the Swiss community in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, Rolf serves as a Council Member of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA), representing 24 countries. Since 2021, he has also been appointed as the Chair of the CEOs Forum at the Sri Lanka Institute of Directors, adding to his impressive list of accomplishments.
It is no surprise that since his inception with the company, Rolf has led Baurs towards remarkable growth, with several divisions achieving historical peaks and setting records. Over the past five years, the company has earned its best-ever performance and is now well-positioned to face future challenges.
Rolf takes his role as a responsible citizen seriously and is committed to contributing to social and environmental causes. How so? He has taken steps to ensure that Baurs plays its part in this regard and has partnered with the UNGC (United Nations Global Compact) program and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to further this mission.
Throughout his tenure, Rolf has challenged and transformed the company, steering it towards greater heights in various industry sectors. A quality most CEOs possess. But what makes him the most eligible recipient for this award? Where does his distinctiveness thrive?…
What truly sets him apart is his unwavering commitment to the company’s sustainability. He expressed, “In other words, in ensuring that Baurs will exist for another 125 years.”
Rolf firmly believes in the moral obligation to protect our planet, which is deeply ingrained in his values. He takes great pride in Baur’s commitment to adhering to the Ten Principles of the UNGC (United Nations Global Compact) and actively supporting the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Furthermore, Baurs has been selected as one of the ten partners by the United Nations “Transparency International Sri Lanka” to combat corruption in Sri Lanka.
Meaningful contributions made by a CEO can create a significant impact on an organization, its employees, and the wider community. For instance, Rolf, as a CEO, has always emphasized the importance of sustainability and the need to take responsibility for our planet. In 2021, when the ban on chemical fertilizers and plant protection was imposed, Rolf led Baurs to commit to a sustainable organic agriculture strategy, irrespective of the policy changes. Today, he takes immense pride in the progress Baurs has made, establishing the first international Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Agriculture in Sri Lanka. This centre brings together all the necessary resources to support environmentally friendly yet productive agriculture practices, helping to put Sri Lanka back on the map.
Moreover, Rolf has been a proactive change agent driving innovation for the benefit of Baur’s[2] partners, customers, and patients, as well as contributing to the progress of Sri Lanka’s healthcare industry. He emphasizes that Baurs is well-prepared to embrace the future of healthcare with its modernization efforts, stating, “You will hear a lot from our healthcare division in the near future, and maybe some rumours have already reached you.”
Leadership isn’t about holding authority over someone else. It’s about positively influencing people to reach new heights. In this context, how does a great leader like Rolf motivate his workforce?
Although he has received widespread recognition and praise as a good leader, he prefers to describe himself as a devoted servant who derives pleasure from serving others and contributing to their success and well-being. He believes his servant leadership style sets him apart in a society that still largely adheres to a patron culture and autocratic leadership approach. He stated, “As such, maybe my servant leadership style stands out in a country where the patron culture is still very much predominant with an autocratic style of leading.”
In plain sight, Rolf’s achievements in various spheres justify why he is a worthy recipient of this award. And to what extent will he use this triumph to influence others – and how will it affect his career?
In his own words, although he is a certified economist who understands the principles of supply and demand, he hopes that our world, and particularly Sri Lanka, will prioritize human values and attitudes that focus on the needs of the people, rather than merely being populist. Rolf believes that doing good for others shouldn’t be a PR or marketing tool, but instead an internalization of the satisfaction that comes with helping others, without the need to seek advantage or recognition. As he put it, “When we do good, we should simply observe and relish in the experience!”