Studied law at the University of Fribourg (Switzerland), Europa College (Bruges) and McGill University (Montreal). In 1990 he joined the DFA/DEA Integration Office, where he worked in the Legal and Institutional Affairs Section. In 1993, he undertook a diplomatic internship at the DFA. In 1994, he transferred to the DFA General Secretariat and worked as a researcher with responsibility for Federal Council business until 1999. In 2000, he was appointed Director of the Secretariat of the Swiss Federal Gaming Board. He has been director of the Federal Social Insurance Office since 1st February 2004.