Christophe Favier-Bosson has been working for ISS for 24 years. He began his career in sales in 1998 and has been managing the business in French-speaking Switzerland since 2004; he has played a key role in making ISS the leading provider of facility services and one of the largest employers in the region today. A conversation about current challenges, long-standing partnerships and climate targets.
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Christophe Favier-Bosson, what does a typical workday look like for the top ISS manager in French-speaking Switzerland?
One thing always stays the same: my workdays start early and end late. Other than that, though, no two days are alike. One day, a meeting with a client might require my full attention, while another might involve internal meetings - for example, with our Director of People & Culture or budget discussions with our CFO. I also devote a large part of my time to personal reflection or to discussing business developments with my team and my colleagues on the executive board. This variety of tasks and people is what I love. Every day, I feel that I can still grow in my role.
How did you come to join ISS in 1998?
By chance. I had previously worked at a construction company. Then, in the 1990s, a severe real estate crisis shook the construction industry. An acquaintance of mine, Régis Marcilly, who was the director of ISS in French-speaking Switzerland at the time, convinced me to make the switch to ISS. That’s how I joined the sales department, where I was responsible for preparing quotes.
What kind of company was ISS in 1998?
To the outside world, ISS was a large cleaning company that occasionally offered additional services, such as specialized cleaning or security services. The concept of multiservices was just emerging at the time; these were offered as individual contracts, not as integrated service packages as is common today. And I remember the CEO back then very well: Romano Spadaro, an extraordinary businessman who was also president of the Grasshopper Club Zurich. His personality and charisma were impressive.
ISS is a service company par excellence. What makes you personally a good service provider?
I try to exemplify the mindset that we cultivate at ISS and that we also expect from our employees. Of course, this starts with perfect service, but beyond that, we want to think proactively, understand our clients’ needs, and anticipate and offer solutions.
What role does ISS play in French-speaking Switzerland today?
With 3,200 employees across more than 30 job categories, we are one of the leading employers in French-speaking Switzerland. We offer a wide variety of career opportunities. Whether for university and college graduates or for specialists in the fields of technology, landscaping, cleaning, and more. In addition to modern working conditions, employees also benefit from excellent professional development opportunities and, as a result, the prospect of growing both within our client projects and within our company. ISS enables careers. This also applies to young people who can complete an apprenticeship with us. And we support talented young professionals through initiatives such as the Future Leaders Program, which is designed to prepare them for future leadership roles.
What sets ISS apart from its competitors?
First, our extensive service portfolio, which allows us to provide comprehensive support to our clients. Second, our high level of in-house production; this enables us to deliver services flexibly and efficiently. For example, a receptionist can also handle tasks such as distributing mail or assisting clients with administrative tasks. And finally, our vision of a strategic, long-term partnership and collaboration. Take a look at our clients in French-speaking Switzerland: DuPont, CERN, and the watchmaker Omega SA - all clients who have been with ISS longer than I have. This demonstrates just how long-term and sustainable these partnerships are.
“For 25 years now, ISS has supported us in our own development. Their deep understanding of our manufacturing facility’s needs enables the implementation of forward-looking solutions tailored to our requirements. We achieve this together through open dialogue.”
Angelo Manini, Real Estate Manager, OMEGA SA
Buildings are becoming smarter, employees more mobile, and services more personalized. What does this mean for ISS?
As a market leader and thought leader in facility services, our customers can expect us to anticipate such trends. To do so, we can rely on specialists and innovations within the ISS Group as well as at our headquarters in Zurich, which serves as a kind of test lab for new technologies. Examples include cleaning cobots, the ISS Service Button, and the digital reception desk.
Climate policy is also becoming increasingly important for a company’s reputation. How can ISS support companies in achieving their climate goals?
First, we set high environmental goals for ourselves - ISS aims to be carbon-neutral by 2040. That’s why we’ve launched corresponding initiatives. Recycling has been implemented at our sites in western Switzerland - in Le Lignon, Renens, and Fribourg - which have also been certified with ISS’s internal “Green Office” label. We can now offer the same to key accounts in western Switzerland. This is a simple example of how customers can leverage our expertise to become “greener” themselves.
Second, many ISS FM professionals work at our clients’ sites at the “source” of their energy supply: heating, ventilation, lighting, electricity, etc. It stands to reason that, with our employees and our experience, we can also support clients on strategic energy policy issues.
Speaking of the “Röschtigraben”: Has the divide between ISS in French-speaking Switzerland and ISS in German-speaking Switzerland become deeper or shallower over the past 20 years?
Stop talking to me about this “Röschtigraben” - it doesn’t even exist. To me, there are only people whom I value in all their diversity. That’s why this term, this drawing of boundaries, annoys me. When I talk to our CEO, do I sense a divide? No. And when I talk to a building superintendent who’s from Kosovo, do I sense any kind of “Balkan divide”? No, not at all. ISS places great value on diversity and inclusion to ensure equal opportunity within the company. Because our employees are what make us strong.
You’re known as a meticulous and extremely dedicated worker - how do you unwind?
During the week, I lace up my running shoes several times, set off with a problem, and come back with a solution. On weekends, I’m drawn to the mountains. Once a year, I completely unwind; I hire a mountain guide with friends and go on a high-altitude tour - for example, ski touring from Chamonix to Zermatt, just under 100 kilometers, with 7,000 meters of elevation gain and 8,000 meters of elevation loss.
Facts & Figures
Founded in Geneva in 1967, ISS looks back on a long tradition in French-speaking Switzerland. ISS is now the market leader in the areas of Integrated Facility Management and Workplace Solutions, and counts renowned companies from the food, pharmaceutical, and financial sectors, the watch industry, manufacturing, as well as the transportation and education sectors among its clients. With five locations in the cantons of Geneva, Neuchâtel, Vaud, Fribourg, and Valais, ISS has comprehensive coverage throughout the region. Its business volume has more than tripled since 2004 and today accounts for approximately 25% of ISS’s total Swiss revenue.