Level 10 of 10: G7, G20, Davos and global forums

World Economic Forum (WEF)

The World Economic Forum is a Swiss not-for-profit foundation, founded in 1971 and headquartered in Geneva, that convenes business, government and other leaders, most visibly at its Annual Meeting in Davos (WEF Annual Report 2025-2026). It is funded mainly by its corporate partners and members: partnership and membership income was CHF 297.7 million of CHF 461.3 million revenue in the year to 30 June 2026. It has no public powers; its Board of Trustees is co-chaired by Laurence D. Fink and André Hoffmann.

Who leads it

• President and CEO: Alois Zwinggi (appointment entered in the Swiss commercial register (notice published 26 June 2026)) (zefix.ch)
• Co-Chair, Board of Trustees: Laurence D. Fink (Chair and CEO, BlackRock) (www3.weforum.org)
• Co-Chair, Board of Trustees: André Hoffmann (Vice-Chair, Roche Holding) (www3.weforum.org)

The UK and the WEF

UK ministers attend the Davos Annual Meeting: in January 2026 the Chancellor led a 'Team UK' delegation including the Business Secretary, the Foreign Secretary and the Minister for Investment (gov.uk). The Commons Register of Members' Financial Interests records the WEF paying £1,121.83 for one night's hotel for Nigel Farage MP at Davos in January 2026.

Key figures

What it decides

• No public or legal powers over governments; it convenes meetings, runs initiatives and publishes reports (WEF Annual Report 2025-2026).
• Registered purpose: to bring together leaders from business, politics, academia and civil society 'in a global community of action' to improve the state of the world (Swiss commercial register, translated from French).
• Governance: Board of Trustees, Governing Board, Audit and Risk Committee and statutory audit under Swiss law (WEF Annual Report 2025-2026).
• Board of Trustees includes serving public officials such as the IMF Managing Director, the World Bank Group President, the European Central Bank President and the WTO Director-General (WEF Annual Report 2025-2026).

Records you can check

• WEF Annual Report 2025-2026
  Accounts, Board of Trustees and activities to 30 June 2026
• Swiss commercial register (Zefix): Forum Mondial de l'Economie
  Legal registration, purpose, auditor and board changes
• Register of Members' Financial Interests
  MPs' declared trips and hospitality, including those paid for by the WEF

Common questions

Who funds the World Economic Forum?

Mainly its corporate partners and members. In the year to 30 June 2026, partnership and membership income was CHF 297.7 million of total revenue of CHF 461.3 million (WEF Annual Report 2025-2026).

Did UK ministers go to Davos in 2026?

Yes. Gov.uk says the Chancellor led a 'Team UK' delegation including Business Secretary Peter Kyle, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Minister for Investment Lord Stockwood (20 January 2026).

Has the WEF paid for UK MPs?

The Register of Members' Financial Interests records the WEF providing one night's hotel accommodation worth £1,121.83 to Nigel Farage MP for a speaking engagement in Davos on 21-22 January 2026.

Who runs the WEF?

Alois Zwinggi is President and CEO; Laurence D. Fink and André Hoffmann co-chair the Board of Trustees (WEF Annual Report 2025-2026; Swiss commercial register).

Is the WEF a charity or a company?

It describes itself as an independent, not-for-profit foundation; it is registered in Switzerland as the foundation 'Forum Mondial de l'Economie' (CHE-107.856.445) in Cologny.

Other bodies at level 10

• Bilderberg Meeting
• Council on Foreign Relations
• G20
• G7

Sources

• World Economic Forum Annual Report 2025-2026, read 20 October 2026
• Swiss commercial register (Zefix) record: Forum Mondial de l'Economie, read 20 October 2026
• UK Parliament Register of Members' Financial Interests: Nigel Farage, visit to Switzerland, January 2026, read 20 October 2026
• GOV.UK: Reeves tells Davos: Britain is the best place in the world to invest, read 20 October 2026
• GOV.UK: Reeves gets deals done at Davos, read 20 October 2026