Swatch Group’s board battle has sharpened as activist GreenWood Investors prepares for a second bid to win a seat at the April AGM. The Swiss watchmaker, owner of Omega, Longines and Breguet, has seen its share price tumble more than 40 % over ten years, despite a modest 6 % rise this year. Net profit collapsed to SFr25mn last year recently after a 75 % drop in 2024.

Critics argue the Hayek family’s tight grip—Nick Hayek as CEO and sister Nala as chair—stifles strategic debate. The family controls roughly 25 % of equity but commands nearly half the voting power, filling three of seven board seats. Long‑time director Daniela Aeschlimann, linked to the family’s shareholder bloc, further entrenches the status quo overall.

GreenWood’s 0.5 % voting stake and 0.3 % share capital fuel its challenge, but Swatch rebuffed the bid, questioning Wood’s industry experience and insisting directors be Swiss residents. The company’s latest nominee, former cantonal politician Andreas Rickenbacher, pledged independence, promising a board split evenly between majority‑shareholder and independent members. still investors now gauge whether this structure can restore confidence amid lingering profit pressure.