In a significant leadership shakeup, World Economic Forum President and CEO Borge Brende has announced his resignation following an independent investigation into his associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The decision comes after months of scrutiny surrounding high-profile connections to the disgraced financier.
The WEF initiated a comprehensive review of Brende’s ties to Epstein following the U.S. Department of Justice’s release of extensive court documents related to Epstein’s criminal activities. While the investigation confirmed Brende had three dinner meetings with Epstein between 2018-2019 and maintained electronic communication, it found no evidence of wrongdoing or additional concerning interactions beyond what Brende had voluntarily disclosed.
The former Norwegian foreign minister acknowledged his professional encounters with Epstein but maintained he was ‘completely unaware’ of Epstein’s criminal history during their interactions. In his resignation statement, Brende expressed regret for not conducting more thorough due diligence regarding Epstein’s background, stating his departure would allow the organization to continue its critical work ‘without distractions.’
Epstein, who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, had cultivated connections with numerous global elites. The recent document releases have triggered international repercussions, implicating various public figures across political, business, and royal circles worldwide.
The scandal has particularly impacted Norwegian society, where several prominent figures including Crown Princess Mette-Marit and former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland have faced scrutiny over their Epstein connections. Jagland was recently charged with ‘gross corruption’ in relation to his Epstein associations.
WEF leadership has appointed Alois Zwinggi, previously a managing director within the organization’s executive body, as interim president and CEO while the board of trustees conducts a search for a permanent successor. Co-chairs Andre Hoffmann and Larry Fink acknowledged Brende’s ‘significant contributions’ during his eight-year tenure and respected his decision to step down.