Ronny Peterhans to Become New CIO of UZH

The University of Zurich (UZH) is embarking on further developing and refining its information technology (IT) operations together with Ronny Peterhans, who will take up his new position as UZH’s chief information officer (CIO) and the head of the Central IT office on 1 September 2026.

The business informatics specialist is transferring to UZH from the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), where he has headed the information technology department since 2020 after having previously served in roles as head of IT operations, deputy head of IT, and IT portfolio manager at PSI. Peterhans currently is also a member of the Switch Foundation Council, where he represents the ETH Domain’s four research institutes.

Prior to joining PSI, Peterhans worked for IT services provider MTF Olten AG as head of services and deputy CEO. His professional career has included stints at engineering and electronic manufacturing services provider Iftest AG and in Canton Aargau’s IT strategy office and has comprised executive roles in the private sector of the economy and in public administration as well as experience in consulting, project management and software development. He has over 25 years of IT experience and is married and the father of three children.

Peterhans is an alumnus of UZH: he studied business informatics here, earning an MSc in computer science in 2003. He additionally earned an executive MBA in strategic management and completed advanced training in information security, IT service management, and negotiation and leadership.

The 49-year-old succeeds Thomas Sutter, who left UZH at the end of April. Adrian Rast, the head of IT infrastructure at UZH, is leading the Central IT office on an interim basis from 1 April to 31 August 2026.