World Economic Forum CEO resigns amid scrutiny of Epstein connections.

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World Economic Forum CEO resigns amid scrutiny of Epstein connections.

Last update: 02/26/2026
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The President and CEO of the World Economic Forum, Borge Brende, resigned on February 26 following scrutiny over his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The resignation follows an independent review of Brende's interactions with Epstein, which revealed no new concerns. Alois Zwinggi will serve as interim CEO.

World Economic Forum CEO resigns amid scrutiny of Epstein connections.

Zurich, Feb 26 (Reuters) — Borge Brende, the President and CEO of the World Economic Forum (WEF), announced his resignation on Thursday. This decision comes shortly after the WEF began an independent review concerning his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Background on Brende's Tenure

Borge Brende, a former Norwegian foreign minister, became the President of the World Economic Forum in 2017. During his time at the helm, he was responsible for overseeing the organization’s operations, including the globally prominent annual Davos summit. Reflecting on his tenure in his resignation statement, Brende described his experience as “profoundly rewarding” and expressed gratitude for his collaborations with colleagues, partners, and other stakeholders. He continued: “After careful consideration, I have decided to step down as President and CEO of the World Economic Forum. My time here, spanning 8-1/2 years, has been profoundly rewarding. I am grateful for the incredible collaboration with my colleagues, partners, and constituents, and I believe now is the right moment for the Forum to continue its important work without distractions.”

Brende did not specifically reference Epstein in his resignation statement.

Details on Epstein Connections

Records from the U.S. Department of Justice revealed that Brende had attended three business dinners with Epstein and had also communicated with him via emails and text messages. These revelations prompted the WEF to initiate an independent investigation into the nature and extent of Brende's relationship with Epstein.

Independent Review Findings

In a separate announcement, Andre Hoffmann and Larry Fink, the co-chairs of the Geneva-based organization, confirmed the completion of the external review into Brende’s ties to Epstein. The findings of the review were made public, and the report stated that there were no new concerns arising from Brende’s interactions with Epstein beyond what had already been disclosed. Specifically, the independent counsel's report did not uncover any additional problematic or inappropriate engagements.

Interim Leadership and Transition Plan

Following Brende's resignation, the World Economic Forum appointed Alois Zwinggi as the interim President and CEO. The WEF’s Board of Trustees is overseeing the leadership transition and will manage the process of selecting a permanent replacement. As part of the transition plan, the board outlined the following steps:

Ensuring continuity in WEF operations during the leadership change.
Guiding the process of identifying and appointing a new President and CEO.

Summary

Borge Brende’s resignation represents a major shift in leadership for the World Economic Forum, an organization renowned for bringing together global leaders from business, politics, and civil society, particularly during its annual summit in Davos. Although the independent review did not uncover any additional issues, the WEF is taking steps to ensure a smooth leadership transition and to continue its work without disruptions.

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Author: Zoe Harrison
Zoe Harrison is a journalist focused on human interest stories and social issues. She excels at crafting compelling narratives and investigative features.

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