WEF Chief Resigns Following Scrutiny Over Epstein Links

President of World Economic Forum Borge Brende gives his welcoming remarks at the 55th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland, January 21, 2025.

Børge Brende has stepped down as president and CEO of the World Economic Forum after disclosures about his past contacts with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein triggered an independent review.

Brende, who had led the Geneva-based organisation since 2017, announced his resignation after documents released by the United States Department of Justice revealed that he attended several business dinners with Epstein and exchanged emails and text messages with him.

In a statement, Brende said the decision followed careful consideration and reflected his desire not to distract from the forum’s work, including its flagship annual meeting in Davos. He later expressed regret over how he handled the relationship and said he had been unaware of Epstein’s criminal history when they first met in 2018.

An external review commissioned by the organisation found no additional concerns beyond previously disclosed contacts, according to co-chairs Andre Hoffmann and Larry Fink. Nevertheless, Brende concluded that continued scrutiny risked overshadowing the institution’s activities.

Messages released as part of the Epstein files suggested a cordial relationship between the two men during 2018–19, including praise for Epstein as a host following a dinner attended by several prominent figures. Their last known communication occurred shortly before Epstein’s arrest in 2019.

Following the resignation, managing director Alois Zwinggi will serve as interim president and CEO while the Board of Trustees oversees the search for a permanent successor.

Epstein, who had previously been convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor, died in custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. His extensive connections with business and political elites worldwide continue to face scrutiny.

Brende’s departure comes less than a year after the organisation’s founder, Klaus Schwab, stepped down as chair following misconduct allegations, although an internal inquiry later found no evidence of material wrongdoing.