3. Peter Wuffli: Comeback Kid
In 2001, at the age of 46, Peter Wuffli became the youngest head of a big Swiss bank. Under his guidance, UBS accumulated huge risks with financial products in the U.S. mortgage market. Wuffli, who aspired to become chairman of the company, quit his job in 2007, a year before the state stepped in, because he couldn’t get the coveted prize. In his stead, Marcel Rohner took over as CEO.
After his departure, the former McKinsey manager repented. He returned bonus payments, agreed to mistakes made in respect to the investment bank, founded a charity and penned books about ethical behavior and leadership.
Today, Wuffli is back in business, thanks to private equity firm Partners Group. Marcel Erni, a co-founder of the Zug-based firm, hired him in 2009 as a member of the board. Today, he's the deputy chairman, having led the committee for four years. During his time as chairman, assets under management surged as did profits. Wuffli, as a shareholder of the firm, will have earned a handsome sum during that time.
