The IRF Family mourns the loss of former executives, Manfred Swarovski and Tony Pearce

The Chairman, the Board and Executive Committee of the International Road Federation in Geneva have been deeply saddened by the loss over the past weeks of two IRF leading figures: Manfred Swarovski and Tony Pearce. "The IRF Family loses an exceptional professional and a very dear friend," said Kiran K Kapila, chairman of IRF (Geneva). Manfred Swarovski has been a leading figure of the International Road Federation (IRF) for decades. He has served in many positions not least as chairman of IRF in Geneva an
July 11, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
Tony Pearce
The Chairman, the Board and Executive Committee of the International Road Federation in Geneva have been deeply saddened by the loss over the past weeks of two IRF leading figures: Manfred Swarovski and Tony Pearce.


"The IRF Family loses an exceptional professional and a very dear friend," said Kiran K Kapila, chairman of IRF (Geneva). Manfred Swarovski has been a leading figure of the International Road Federation (IRF) for decades. He has served in many positions not least as chairman of IRF in Geneva and chairman of the Global Executive Committee of IRF. "Manfred's vision has always been to shape a single powerful and integrated organisation. It is the spirit with which we still continue to work in Geneva," added Kapila.

With Tony Pearce, former director general of 1201 IRF Geneva, the IRF loses one of its masterminds and an outstanding personality who has largely defined IRF and its work over the past decades. “Tony has been a primary spokesman and ambassador for the IRF worldwide. Most of it, he has been a friend to many of us in the profession. Tony has taught us tenacity in all its forms. It is that same tenacity that still drives IRF (Geneva) today," said Susanna Zammataro, IRF executive director.

The IRF wishes to express its most sincere condolences to the family of Manfred and of Tony and wishes to thank all those in the profession who have been kindly writing over the past weeks to manifest their appreciation for these two makers of the IRF family and to share with us their most cherished souvenirs.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Launch of landmark IRF Vienna Manifesto on ITS at World Congress
    November 1, 2012
    The culmination of extensive deliberation and work over the past few years by IRF Geneva’s Policy Committee on Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), The IRF Vienna Manifesto on ITS – Smart Transport Policies for Sustainable Mobility will be the object of a high-profile launch during the forthcoming 19th ITS World Congress, to be held in the Austrian capital from 22-26 October 2012. The Manifesto brings together key policy arguments for investing in ITS as well as a set of supporting policy recommendations. I
    Read More
  • Key courses are making a difference, one IRF Fellow at a time
    February 24, 2015
    66th Class of IRF Fellows Takes Part in Unique Leadership Course. The 66th Class of IRF Fellows has taken part in an innovative leadership course. In all 30 IRF Fellows representing 22 countries as diverse as Haiti, Kenya and Indonesia took part in the International Road Federation’s Road Scholar Programme in January 2015. Timed with the Transportation Research Board’s Annual Meeting, the program is an annual 10-day leadership and orientation course which brings together the new class of IRF Fellows in Wash
    Read More
  • The industry’s most trusted brand in continuing education
    September 4, 2019
    With the release of an update catalogue of training and credential programmes available to road professionals worldwide, IRF has affirmed its role at the road industry’s most trusted brand in continuing education. For 70 years, an essential part of IRF’s mission has been the organisation and delivery of continuing education services that help strengthen human skills and contribute to the dissemination of knowledge and field expertise. Today, IRF’s curriculum of 40 certified courses provides technica
    Read More
  • Dubai to host the 18th IRF World Meeting & Exhibition planned for 2021
    February 10, 2020
    Dubai, one of the world’s iconic cities, has been designated to host the International Road Federation’s World Meeting & Exhibition on November 8th-11th, 2021.
    Read More

Highlighted Content