Early Life and Education
Urs Wietlisbach was born in Switzerland on August 25, 1961. He received a master's degree in business administration from the University of St. Gallen (HSG) in Switzerland. Wietlisbach's family relocated to Schaffhausen in 1969, where his father became a director of a bank. Wietlisbach attended Schulhaus Steig.
Rise to Success
Wietlisbach's career began at Credit Suisse before moving to Goldman Sachs, where he established the firm's sales department in Switzerland. In 1996, he co-founded Partners Group with Marcel Erni and Alfred Gantner. The firm became one of Europe's largest private equity funds. In 2015, he co-founded Blue Earth Capital, a global impact investment firm. Wietlisbach is known for his proactive approach to deal sourcing.
Key Business Strategies
Partners Group focused on a diversified, direct investment approach to private equity. Blue Earth Capital focuses on environmental and social challenges, measuring impact based on key performance indicators. Wietlisbach emphasizes investing in companies focused on future trends such as decarbonization and automation.
Philanthropy
Wietlisbach, along with his wife Simone, is committed to philanthropy. They signed The Giving Pledge in 2022, committing the majority of their wealth to charitable causes. The Ursimone Wietlisbach Foundation, established in 2021, supports initiatives focused on health, human development, and active living. The foundation's geographic focus includes Switzerland and selected low- and middle-income countries.
