Benedict Stalder

Board Member

Benedict Stalder is an experienced executive, entrepreneur, and board member with over 40 years in advanced manufacturing and high-tech industries. He began his career as an entrepreneur at 21, bringing a hands-on approach to governance. As a Board Member at Alemnis AG, he offers strategic insights supporting the company’s mission in nanomechanical and micromechanical testing solutions.

A strong advocate for entrepreneurship, he founded the Scaling Up Sales programme and contributes to the Startup Board Academy, mentoring leaders in high-growth environments.

Jean-Marc Bréguet

Founder and Board Member

Dr. Jean-Marc Bréguet is the Managing Director and co-founder of Alemnis, a leader in scientific test instrumentation. Since 2013, he has spearheaded the company’s growth, pioneering high-precision testing solutions and positioning Alemnis as a global leader in the field. With a strong blend of industrial experience and academic research, Jean-Marc Bréguet has contributed to the creation of multiple companies through technology transfer and cross-disciplinary innovation.

Before founding Alemnis, Jean-Marc Bréguet gained extensive experience in industrial settings and research and development, particularly in advanced robotics and precision engineering. His leadership of the High Precision Robotics Group at the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology (EPFL) further showcased his expertise in these areas.

Jean-Marc Bréguet is deeply committed to bridging academia and industry, fostering collaboration to translate innovative research into practical applications. Under his guidance, Alemnis has pushed the boundaries of scientific instrumentation, particularly in materials science and micro-mechanical testing.

As a sought-after speaker and mentor, Jean-Marc Bréguet is passionate about nurturing the next generation of innovators. His contributions to scientific publications and leadership in the field have earned him widespread recognition as a pioneer in precision instrumentation.

Virginie Verdon

Chairwoman

Virginie is a seasoned board member with deep corporate governance expertise in the technology sector. She has served on 12 boards of tech companies, startups, and SMEs, demonstrating strong leadership in high-tech industries.

As the Founder and Managing Director of the Startup Board Academy, she has trained and mentored Swiss startup and SME board members for a decade, emphasising effective governance and strategic oversight.

Her expertise lies in transition management, guiding companies through critical growth and change phases. She brings expertise in innovation, financial management, and international business development.

Dr. Nicholas Randall

Vice President of Sales

Dr. Nicholas Randall is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in surface mechanical properties testing. He is currently the Vice President of Sales at Alemnis, a role he has held since 2019. Nicholas Randall holds a BSc in Materials Science from Brunel University and a PhD in Microtechnology from the University of Neuchâtel. His doctoral work led to the development of a pioneering nanotribological tool.

Throughout his career, he has held various leadership roles, including at CSM Instruments and Anton Paar. Nicholas Randall is also an active lecturer at top institutions like MIT and EPFL and contributes to industry standards as the chairman of the ASTM committee G02.40. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials and a Chartered Engineer. At Alemnis, Nicholas Randall leverages his expertise to drive business growth and expand the company’s market presence.

Damian Frey

Senior Applications & Software Expert

Damian Frey is a Senior Applications & Software Expert at Alemnis, having joined the company in 2017. He holds a BSc in Systems Engineering from the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland. Prior to Alemnis, Damian Frey worked at EPFL from 2008 to 2017 as an R&D Engineer for mechanical testing equipment, gaining extensive experience in materials science and mechanical testing.

At Alemnis, Damian Frey contributes to the development of advanced scientific instrumentation, focusing on both software and hardware systems. His expertise bridges the gap between engineering and materials science, driving innovation in small-scale mechanical testing. His contributions are integral to maintaining Alemnis’ position as a leader in scientific test instrumentation.

Benedikt Heigenhauser

Head of Research and Development

Benedikt Heigenhauser is the Head of Research and Development at Alemnis, leading advancements in micro- and nano-mechanical testing technologies since 2022. With a background in mechanical engineering and materials science, Benedikt Heigenhauser drives innovations while strengthening the company’s intellectual property. Before Alemnis, he led mechanical development at Afag Automation, introducing agile workflows and collaborating on 3D printing and kinematics research. At TYG, he specialised in advanced steering systems, contributing to patents and global collaborations. Benedikt Heigenhauser holds a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Technical University of Munich and is fluent in German, English, and French. Outside work, he is an active member of Bavarian Mountain Rescue.

Dr. Renato Pero

Head of Customer Success

Dr. Renato Pero holds a Master of Science in Materials Engineering and a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering, specialising in advanced instrumented indentation techniques and the mechanical behaviour of metals, alloys, and composites. His doctoral research, completed with Cum Laude honours in 2020, focused on nanoindentation testing and dual-scale indentation methodologies. Renato Pero also gained international experience during a research stint at the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) in Japan, fostering collaborations with Politecnico di Torino and the University of Rome Tor Vergata. He joined Alemnis in 2020 as an Application Scientist and was quickly promoted to Sales and Applications Scientist, excelling in client engagement and contributing to business growth. In 2024, Renato Pero became Head of Customer Success, leading efforts to maximise value for Alemnis’ clients. His career reflects a strong commitment to innovation, research, and collaboration, making him a key asset to the company and the scientific community.

Simeon Bodemann

Head of Production and Supply

Simeon Bodenmann joined Alemnis in September 2018 as a Mechatronics Engineer and quickly earned a promotion to Head of Production in 2021. In this leadership role, he has become instrumental in managing production operations, overseeing supplier relationships, product assembly, quality assurance, and team performance. Simeon Bodenmann’s contributions extend to Alemnis’ innovation pipeline, where he plays an active role in the development and testing of new products. His blend of technical expertise and operational excellence has been key to maintaining the company’s reputation for high-quality, reliable products. Simeon Bodenmann’s proactive, solutions-oriented mindset fosters strong collaboration across departments, including R&D, Marketing, and Sales, ensuring excellent customer and partner support. His leadership is a cornerstone of Alemnis’ ongoing success and growth, helping position the company as a leader in precision mechanical testing solutions.

Hélène Moulin

Head of Finance and Administration

Hélène Moulin is a seasoned finance professional with over 20 years of experience spanning various industries. Since July 2024, she has served as the Head of Finance and Administration at Alemnis, bringing extensive expertise in financial management, business development, and entrepreneurship.

Hélène Moulin began her career in 2003 at Vivendi as a Senior Analyst in Financial Reporting, where she developed expertise in financial compliance. She then moved to Euro Disney SCA before joining Hermès International in 2008, where she held several roles, including “Responsable du contrôle de gestion” at La Montre Hermès SA. There, she played a key role in implementing SAP systems and developing financial strategies.

In 2017, Hélène Moulin founded Chefs en Cuisine, a co-working space for cooks in Bienne, Switzerland, demonstrating her entrepreneurial acumen. Her career also includes roles at MGI Luxury Group and Parmigiani Fleurier SA, as well as a contract with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation in 2022.

Fluent in French, English, and German, Hélène Moulin is skilled in financial software like SAP, TM1, and ERP systems.