Christian Watts

Professional Focus

• Over 15 years’ experience in executive roles in commercial diplomacy and trade & investment promotion services for clients in a wide range of industries, along with more than 10 years in aviation and tourism
• Deep expertise in public affairs and strategy consulting, including change management and team building during M&A and integration processes
• Strong senior management background with emphasis on development and leadership of diverse and geographically dispersed teams, as well as organizational and business development
• Extensive international experience and broad network of relationships with authorities, companies and private individuals in Europe, the Middle East and Africa
• Native German, fluent in English and French

Business Expertise

• Partner with MSF & Partners Global AG management consulting firm
• Consul General and Head of Commercial Diplomacy with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland (EDA), based in Dubai
• Executive Director at Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE), Zurich; prior roles with organization included Regional Director, Americas and Regional Director India, Middle East & Africa
• Vice President, External Affairs & Alliances at Swiss International Air Lines
• Vice President, Network Development at Swissair
• Head of Bilateral Air Services for the Federal Office for Civil Aviation (FOCA), Switzerland
• Co-Founder and Managing Partner of a cybersecurity start-up

Practice Memberships

Global Industry Practices

• Consumer & Retail
• Financial Services
• Industrial

Global Cross Sector Practices

• Social Impact

Additional Expertise

• Aviation & Aerospace
• Cybersecurity
• Healthcare
• Public Affairs and Public Relations
• Transport & Logistics
• Travel & Tourism

Education & Certifications

• Higher Diploma in international relations from Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID), Geneva
• Master’s degree from University of Bern
• Certificates in cybersecurity, New York University (NYU) Tandon School of Engineering
• Senior Management Certificate, University of St. Gallen