Committee
The people behind it
- Wilfred Baldeo, BSc, MSc, CChem., MRSC, EurChem., CSci., Venue
My career began with a BSc.Honours in Chemistry from the University of London in 1970. In 1971 I completed an MSc in Biochemistry.
I started working at the School of Pharmacy, University of London in 1972 in the department of Pharmaceutical and Biological Chemistry managing the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Analytical Laboratories. I taught both undergraduate and postgraduate students and at the same time undertook research projects. In 2000 I moved to the Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research. There I was mainly involved in research. During my period in Acedemia, I have published numerous scientific papers.
I became interested in the Swiss National Day and joined the committee in order to assist in its continued progression for the Swiss community in London.
- Nathalie Dürmüller, Swiss Church representative
Natalie Dürmüller has been the Minister of the Swiss Church in London for a year and a half. She grew up in Wil, St. Gallen and studied theology in Zurich, Neuchâtel and Tübingen. After that she moved to Berne where she gained some work experience as a Minister and also in Public Relations. Nathalie likes being in London and particularly enjoys the energy and vibrancy of the city and its great variety of cultural programmes on offer. She joined the Swiss National Day committee as the representative of the Swiss Church in London. The Swiss Church aims to serve the needs of the Swiss Community in London and is therefore happy to support the Swiss National Day committee.
- Ian Giuliani, Catering
Ian Giuliani of ticinesi descent has been the President of the Unione Ticinese di Londra for the past five years.
During this time his policy has been to serve the original ticinese membership (mostly Bleniesi and Leventinesi); encourage membership from Ticino, in respect to those indigenous Ticinesi
who have close family connections with the UK and particularly to encourage participation in the UT by contemporary Ticinesi migrants (generally professionals working in London), via a range of cultural and social events. Ian Giuliani although running an architect's practice in the UK maintains close working links with the Ticino via his involvement with a small family farm in Valle di Blenio.
- Margrit Lyster, Co-chair
Margrit Lyster was born and educated in Zürich, graduated in Social Work before moving to London after her marriage. After raising a family, Margrit started her professional career in 1977 as a social worker with the Swiss Welfare Office until 1996 and from 1996-2009 with the Swiss Benevolent Society in London. She has always been keenly interested in all matters concerning Swiss Abroad and actively involved with many Committees and UK-Swiss Societies in the past and present. These include the Swiss Church London, New Helvetic Society, FOSSUK, Swiss Review, Unione Ticinese, City Swiss Club and First of August Committee. She has been delegate to the Commission for the Swiss Abroad since 1993 and also a Committee member of “soliswiss” from 1994 – 2009.
- Daniel Pedroletti, Co-chair and Secretary
Daniel Pedroletti was born and educated in Switzerland. After studying business and working for a health insurance fund in Lausanne, he moved to the UK in 1968. In 1969, he briefly worked in the City for an insurance broker and underwriters at Lloyds. He joined the staff of the Embassy of Switzerland in London in January 1970. After 33 years at Montagu Place, he took up a managerial post with the Federal Department of Finance, Swiss Compensation Office, in Geneva as Head of the Contributions Section. He retired in February 2008. He is a long-standing member of several Swiss clubs and is currently a member of the Unione Ticinese Executive Committee, Honorary Treasurer of the Federation of Swiss Societies in the UK and President of the New Helvetic Society.
- Marc Peter, PR & Website
Marc Peter was born and educated in Switzerland, completing a Typographic Design Diploma in 1990 and an apprenticeship at Ringier Holdings in 1992 from where he moved to Zürich, practising as a freelance graphic designer. Marc moved to London to complete an MA Interactive Media (University of the Arts) in 1999, the same year that his first book, Flash 4 – Interactivity by Design, was published. Industry magazines in Switzerland, Germany and the UK have consistently published Marc’s comment and articles. Marc frequently teaches short courses on interactive design at the Hochschule für Gestaltung und Kunst and Online Labor in Zürich. Marc is the Creative Director of on-IDLE, a design and web development agency he co-founded with his now wife in 2000 and is a long-standing member of the City Swiss Club.
- Ursule Thurnherr, Fundraiser
Delegate of the City Swiss Club, London
educated and brought up in the German and French part of Switzerland;
graduated in economy and politics. Various work periods in Europe, US and the Middle East. I made London my home in 1979 and settled with my family in the UK a few years later.
Main area of work: troubleshooting, re-organising of companies, setting up companies in the UK and ultimately mentoring of start ups.
It was a great honour to become the first woman member of the City Swiss Club over 20 years ago and to become a member of the board recently
Languages are my passion, as is travelling by alternative means of transport, especially in the Middle East.
Sponsors
