In the section Backstage, interesting personalities from the financial sector and beyond provide insights into their personal preferences every Wednesday.

What do you do first in the morning?

This may sound unusual to many people, but I start every day with a glass of hot water mixed with apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, ginger and lemon. For my daily reset, it is worth its weight in gold.

What is the best thing about your job?

In sales, we have the privilege of being able to shape much of our own working day. Naturally, targets and strategic initiatives provide a framework, but ultimately it is the result that matters, and we largely determine the path we take to achieve it.

A moment that changed your life?

As is probably the case for most fathers, by far the most significant moments were the births of my two daughters.

What cars do you own? Which is your favorite?

I switched to electric cars a few years ago and appreciate them greatly. At the same time, I have kept my Saab convertible, which is now 21 years old. There is always room for a little nostalgia.

What advice would you give to your 20-year-old self?

Stay more relaxed, particularly in your professional life, and focus on the things you can actually influence. In sales especially, people often take setbacks too personally, even though everyone should understand that it is impossible to win every piece of business.

What are you particularly proud of?

I have now been working for almost 40 years and, for most of that time, I have managed to maintain a good balance between my professional and personal life. My time abroad was also particularly enriching and broadened my horizons for the long term.

What do you do when you have doubts?

I deliberately seek second opinions from friends or colleagues. Different perspectives often help me make the right decision.

What is your favorite wine?

I do not drink much wine. When I do, I tend to prefer something full-bodied, such as a Tempranillo from Spain or The Prisoner from California.

What projects are you currently working on?

Our main focus at present is on new product launches in private credit and insurance-linked securities. In the ILS segment, we work closely with Swiss Re as the fund manager.

What do you admire in other people?

Determination and the ability to retain a certain degree of composure, even in challenging situations.

What would be the biggest surprise for someone who had to take over your job for a day?

That successful sales has far less to do with magic than with hard work, and that listening well is often more important than speaking well.

What is your personal drive?

Success, recognition and the satisfaction of achieving something together as a team.

What are you afraid of?

Health is our most valuable asset. As someone who leads an active and athletic lifestyle, I would find any health-related limitation particularly difficult to accept.

What is your favorite watch brand?

My traditional watches now spend most of their time in the drawer. In everyday life, I wear a Garmin, which provides valuable information on my activity, recovery, stress levels and health. I would not want to give up that added value.

Is there an unfulfilled dream you would still like to realize?

There are still several countries I would like to visit, with Japan at the top of the list.

Your best investment?

Without question, my holidays. They provide rest, fresh perspectives and lasting memories.

Daniel Durrer is Head of Switzerland Distribution at GAM Investments and has almost 40 years of experience in the distribution of asset management products. He has extensive expertise in serving institutional and large clients, business development and leading international sales teams across Europe and beyond.