By Emmanuel Nduka Obisue
World Economic Forum President (WEF) and CEO Børge Brende has stepped down after more than eight years at the helm of the body best known for hosting the annual Davos summit, following scrutiny over his past interactions with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Brende announced his resignation on Thursday, saying it was time for the organisation to move forward “without distractions”. His departure comes weeks after the WEF initiated an independent review into his previously disclosed meetings and communications with Epstein, prompted by new material released in documents by the U.S. Justice Department.
In a statement, Brende did not directly mention Epstein but said: “After careful consideration, I have decided to step down as President and CEO of the World Economic Forum. My time here, spanning 8½ years, has been profoundly rewarding… I believe now is the right moment for the Forum to continue its important work without distractions”.
Recently released files showed that Brende attended three business dinners with Epstein and exchanged emails and text messages with him in 2018 and 2019, years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. Brende has previously said he was unaware of the full extent of Epstein’s crimes at the time and expressed regret for not conducting more thorough due diligence before their first meeting.
The WEF’s co-chairs, André Hoffmann and Larry Fink, praised Brende’s leadership during what they described as a “pivotal period of reforms” and said they respected his decision to step aside. They confirmed that long-time WEF executive Alois Zwinggi will serve as interim President and CEO while the Board of Trustees begins a search for a permanent successor.
According to the findings of the independent external review, there were “no additional concerns beyond what has been previously disclosed”.
Brende, 57, a former Norwegian foreign minister and member of the Conservative Party, joined the WEF as president in 2017. During his tenure, he led the organisation through the COVID-19 pandemic, oversaw several high-profile Davos meetings and initiated internal reforms aimed at strengthening governance and transparency.
His resignation marks the latest high-profile fallout linked to the continuing release of Epstein-related documents, which have drawn renewed scrutiny to figures who had contact with the disgraced financier.
