1820
Entrepreneur Martin Burrus moved to Boncourt, in the canton of Jura, where he began producing tobacco products. His son François-Joseph Burrus took up the baton and named the company F.J. Burrus. The F.J. Burrus company remained in the family for nearly 200 years, or 6 generations.
1916
As the first company in Switzerland to develop family allowances, health insurance and retirement plans for its employees (from 1936), F.J. Burrus quickly became a pioneer of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Switzerland.
1928
Martin’s successor, Léon, and his wife Marguerite (nicknamed Guigui) built a house, the Domaine de Guilé, whose name is a combination of their respective first names, where their spirit, values and family heritage could be shared.
1979
On the strength of his successes, Léon’s eldest son, Charles, took over the presidency of the family business, at that time, the largest private sector employer in the Jura.
1996
Following the sale of the family company, Charles and Bernadette, his wife, created Fondation Guilé whose aim is to enable the heads of multinationals to appropriate the tools necessary to become ethically responsible actors.
1997
Charles et Bernadette Burrus created Fondation Novandi to promote respect for human dignity and universal values, firstly among young people and then among decision-makers. It encourages actions that give meaning to actions and to life, while promoting personal fulfilment.
2011
Following the death of Charles Burrus, the activities of the Fondation Novandi and the Fondation Guilé continue. The family of Charles and Bernadette Burrus remains fully involved in both foundations. By continuing the work undertaken by their parents, Régis, Bénédicte and Hardouin are perpetuating the transmission of family values.
2020
Régis Burrus is appointed Chairman of the Foundation.
