The Heads of the Divisions meet with the Director once a week to discuss issues that affect several sectors, are politically relevant, strategic in nature and support management in its role and to make joint decisions.
Hans Wyss, Director
After graduating from the University of Bern and completing his internship in the equine clinic at the University’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hans Wyss gained his PhD in veterinary medicine in 1987.
He then went on to work as an editor at Swiss Radio’s German service and as a partner in a group veterinary practice in the Canton of Bern. From 1993 to 1999 he was Deputy Cantonal Veterinary Officer for the Canton of Bern.
Between 1999 and 2002 he was Head of the Communications Department and Permits and Inspections Department at the Federal Veterinary Office (FVO) and a member of the Executive Board.
Hans Wyss was appointed Director of the Federal Veterinary Office in 2003. In 2008, he was appointed an Honorary Professor at the University of Bern. Following the founding of the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) in 2014, he was appointed Director and has led the FSVO since then.
Michael Beer, Deputy Director, Head of Food and Nutrition
Michael Beer graduated in food science from ETH Zurich in 1989. He then undertook postgraduate studies in human nutrition before doing his PhD at ETH Zurich’s Institute of Human Nutrition, which he completed in 1994. After spending several years as a researcher in Canada, he held various positions in the private sector, ultimately heading the nutrition research department of a multinational company.
In 2002, he became Head of the Food Science Division at the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) and was head of the Food Safety Division from 2006 to 2013.
Since 2014 he has headed the FSVO’s Food and Nutrition Division. He is also is Vice Director.
Edith Honegger, Head of Staff Unit
After studying political science and economics at the University of Bern and at Charles University in Prague, Edith Honegger worked as a research associate at the Swiss Graduate School of Public Administration (IDHEAP) in Lausanne. She then moved to the Parliamentary Services of the Federal Assembly, where she remained for over ten years, mainly in the secretariat of the Economic Affairs and Taxation Committees. In 2015, Edith Honegger moved to the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA, where she was responsible for staff and communications as secretary general from 2018. Edith Honegger has headed the Staff Unit at the FSVO since November 2024.
Philippe Ankers, Head of International Affairs
After graduating from the University of Bern with a degree in veterinary medicine in 1989, Philippe Ankers worked as a researcher at the International Trypanotolerance Centre in West Africa. During this time, he completed a doctorate in tropical veterinary medicine at the University of Bern. He returned to Switzerland in 1997, worked as a rural veterinarian in the canton of Vaud until 2001, followed by many years of work with the Swiss NGO Veterinarians without Borders Switzerland. From 2008 to 2023, he worked for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in the areas of animal production and animal health, and more recently as Head of the North Africa office in Tunis and as FAO representative for Tunisia and Libya. In summer 2024 he joined the FSVO as Head of International Affairs.
Martin Reist, Head of Animal Health and Welfare
After studying veterinary medicine at the University of Bern, Martin Reist completed his PhD at the University of Zurich. He then obtained a second doctorate in livestock science at ETH Zurich, after which he worked in clinical research. From 2003 Martin Reist was Head of Epizootic Monitoring at the FVO and was Head of the Monitoring Sector and a member of the Executive Board from 2007. He lectured in Veterinary Public Health at the University of Bern from 2010 to 2012. From 2013 he contributed to the foundation of the FSVO and was Head of its Innovation Division and a member of the Executive Board until 2018. Between 2019 and 2022 he was CEO of the Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research (SAKK).In 2022, Martin Reist became head of the FSVO’s Animal Welfare Division. In 2023 he obtained an Executive MBA awarded by the ESSEC Business School in Paris and the Mannheim Business School. He has led the Animal Health and Welfare Division since the summer of 2023.
Katharina Stärk, Head of Knowledge Foundations
Katharina Stärk obtained her PhD in 1991, having first graduated in veterinary medicine at the Universities of Fribourg and Zurich. She obtained a doctorate in epidemiology at Massey University in New Zealand and gained further experience abroad as a project manager at the Danish pig producers’ association. From 2000 to 2006, she was Head of the FVO’s Monitoring sector and a member of the Executive Board until she was appointed Professor of Veterinary Public Health at the Royal Veterinary College in London. Returning to Switzerland in 2010, she worked as a private consultant, primarily on international issues related to animal health and food safety. From 2019 Katharina Stärk led the Animal Health Division at the FSVO, becoming Head of the Knowledge Foundations Division in 2023.
Massimo Quaglia, Head of Resources
Massimo Quaglia studied electronics and information technology, specialising in digital technology, new technologies and IT security. He completed his studies by gaining an Executive MBA in business management.
From 1992 to 1997 he was a database developer, architect and specialist at Six Payment Services,
before heading the Swiss Post team responsible for developing and modelling sorting and delivery software from 1998 to 2004. Between 2004 and 2009 he was a project manager and application manager.
Massimo Quaglia joined Swiss Post Group company SecurePost AG in 2009, joining the Executive Board and assuming responsibility for IT, logistics and the quality management system (QMS). He held the same post at Mobility Solutions AG, another Swiss Post Group company, from 2013 to 2015.
Massimo Quaglia took up service with the Swiss government in 2015. After working as a GIS project manager at the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO), he joined the FSVO in 2017, becoming Head of its IT sector. He became Head of the IT and Logistics Division in 2018, and has been Head of the Resources Division since summer 2023.
Last modification 30.04.2025
