Early Life
Details about Urs Wietlisbach's early life and childhood remain private.
Rise to Success
Urs Wietlisbach's career began at Credit Suisse, later transitioning to Goldman Sachs. At Goldman Sachs, he established the firm's sales department in Switzerland. In 1996, Wietlisbach co-founded Partners Group with Marcel Erni and Alfred Gantner. The trio's vision was to create an independent asset management firm for entrepreneurs. Wietlisbach played a key role in client relationships and fundraising. Partners Group went public in 2006. In 2015, Wietlisbach co-founded Blue Earth Capital, a global impact investment firm focused on addressing environmental and social challenges. He has also served on the board of trustees of the HSG Foundation, and reduced his shareholding in Partners Group to 5.01% in 2020.
Key Business Strategies
Partners Group emphasizes proactive deal sourcing and thematic research. The firm focuses on long-term value creation and has a team dedicated to these activities. Wietlisbach's approach includes a focus on industries with strong future trends such as decarbonization and automation. The firm's strategy involves a balance of equity and debt, with an average portfolio of 53% equity and 47% debt. Wietlisbach stresses the importance of a strong entrepreneurial governance and incentivizing managers through shareholding in portfolio companies.
Philanthropy
Urs Wietlisbach is a member of the board of trustees of Blue Earth Foundation, a Swiss NGO focused on philanthropic activities. In 2021, The Ursimone Wietlisbach Foundation was a major benefactor to the University of St. Gallen for the construction of its new SQUARE building. He joined The Giving Pledge in 2022.
