A visionary entrepreneur who transformed the Swiss relocation landscape by founding Welcome Service in Nyon, Vaud in 1990 — one of the first relocation firms in the Lake Geneva region.
At a time when international mobility was beginning to play a pivotal role in the business world, Catherine Burrus identified a crucial gap: the need for a personal, culturally aware guidance service that would support executives not just through logistics but through the lived experience of settling into a new country.
Catherine Burrus founded Welcome Service in 1990 with a simple but powerful conviction: that relocating to Switzerland should not feel like entering a labyrinth of bureaucracy, but like being welcomed into a new home. Her own international upbringing — from Paris to Lausanne with formative years in Athens — gave her a rare perspective. She understood both the excitement and the challenges of starting over in a new environment.
"Always driven by a Commitment to Excellence"
From the outset, Catherine chose a personal path. While others immediately pursued volume, she focused on quality. Each assignment was unique. Each family was different. Every solution was tailor-made. Over the past three decades, this philosophy has made Welcome Service one of Switzerland's most respected names in international relocation.
One of Catherine's defining decisions was to keep Welcome Service fiercely independent. In an industry increasingly dominated by large corporate players, she chose to preserve a family-owned, principal-led firm. This independence became a powerful advantage.
Free from commissions or external incentives, Welcome Service has always offered objective, unbiased advice. Clients know that every recommendation is made with one priority in mind: their best interest. This integrity remains the foundation of the firm's reputation.
Today, Welcome Service is led by Catherine's children — Laetitia Papilloud and Guillaume Bédat — who grew up immersed in the business and carry forward their mother's founding principles with fresh energy and expanded vision.
Catherine now serves as Honorary President — a transition that reflects both the strength of the company she built and the enduring relevance of her philosophy. Her legacy goes beyond a company. It sets a standard — for how international mobility should be done, for how families should be supported, and for what it truly means to welcome someone to Switzerland.
Established one of the first relocation companies in the Lake Geneva region, driven by a vision of personalised, human-centered mobility services.
A decisive milestone: even as a team of four, Welcome Service successfully handled its first group move — setting the stage for future growth.
Beyond Switzerland, our reputation attracted global companies and after a rigorous selection process, one became a client for over 20 years.
Two global companies honored us with the 'Gold Commitment to Excellence Award' and 'Supplier Excellence Award' — recognition of our professionalism and genuine commitment.
Operational leadership moves to daughter Laetitia Papilloud, and then in 2014 to both Guillaume Bédat and Laetitia.
Welcome Service in the sole hands of the next generation when Laetitia and Guillaume took over ownership of the company.
A tribute to Catherine's many years of dedication, passion, and hard work.
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