Originally from Alsace, the entrepreneur Martin Burrus settled in Boncourt, in the canton of Jura, where he began producing tobacco products. His son, François-Joseph Burrus, took over the business and named it F.J. Burrus. The F.J. Burrus factory remained family-owned for nearly 200 years, spanning six generations.
As the first company in Switzerland to introduce family allowances, health insurance, and later retirement plans for its employees (from 1936), F.J. Burrus quickly became a pioneering player in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Switzerland.
François-Xavier’s successor, Léon—son of Albert and Odile—and his wife Marguerite (nicknamed Guigui) built a residence known as the Domaine de Guilé, a name combining their respective first names. This estate became a place where the family spirit, values, and heritage could be shared.
Building on his commercial success, Charles, Léon’s eldest son, who had joined the company in 1958, became President of the family business, then the largest private-sector employer in the Jura region.
Following the sale of the family company, Charles and his wife Bernadette founded Fondation Guilé. Its purpose is to provide leaders of multinational companies with the tools needed to become ethically responsible actors.
Charles and Bernadette Burrus founded Fondation Novandi. Their aim was to give priority to supporting and promoting initiatives for young people in Switzerland—and later for leaders—that foster respect for human dignity and the universal values associated with it.
Following the death of Charles Burrus, the activities of both Fondation Novandi and Fondation Guilé continued. The Burrus family remained fully involved in both foundations.
Christian Budry was appointed President of Fondation Novandi. Régis Burrus, the eldest son of Charles and Bernadette, was appointed President of Fondation Guilé and Vice-President of Fondation Novandi. By continuing the work initiated by his parents, Régis Burrus carries forward the transmission of the family’s values.
Following the death of Christian Budry, Régis Burrus was appointed President of the Foundation, and Bernadette Burrus was appointed Vice-President.
The Foundation Board continues to be composed of descendants of the founding members, thereby ensuring continuity of their original vision and commitment.
