Every week, interesting personalities from the world of finance and beyond share their personal preferences in our section Backstage.

What do you do first thing in the morning?

If I manage to get up on time, I start with a quick espresso, followed by an early-morning high-intensity fitness boot camp.

What do you like most about your profession?

Clearly, the interaction and exchange with a wide range of very different people.

A moment that changed your life?

When my co-founder explained the business idea to me. That marked the start of my entrepreneurial journey, shifting my focus away from equities and towards currencies and interest rates.

Which cars do you own? Which is your favorite?

I’m not particularly passionate about cars. All-wheel drive and sufficient space matter most to me, as I spend a lot of time in the mountains—and I’ve long since forgotten how to fit snow chains.

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

Take risks from time to time and be courageous. And gain experience abroad.

What are you particularly proud of?

I approach people very openly and usually manage to establish a connection. The foundation for this is respect for others.

What do you do when you have doubts?

As a natural optimist, this happens rather rarely. I seek dialogue with others and try to refocus quickly.

What is your favorite wine?

I’m not a wine connoisseur. For me, the company matters most when drinking wine, and I’m happy to let others decide what we drink.

What projects are you currently working on?

We are expanding the distribution of our short-term fixed income fund and are also evaluating its potential in the Middle East.

What do you admire in other people?

As a consensus-oriented person, I sometimes wish I were a bit more comfortable with conflict.

What would be the biggest surprise for someone taking over your job for a day?

How varied my days and responsibilities are. It’s not a classic desk job. In addition to client-facing work, I handle many management tasks and regularly face unexpected new challenges.

What drives you personally?

I enjoy being part of a team that achieves goals together—both professionally and in my private commitments, for example with the football club Zug 94.

What do you fear?

I am concerned about the major questions of the future: how democracies will evolve, whether we can preserve the rule of law globally, and how the various geopolitical crises will develop. I have great respect for these issues.

Your favorite watch brand?

I haven’t really worn a watch since my youth. My family likes to tease me about this, especially since I once bought a beautiful Rolex on an emotional impulse a few years ago—which I now never wear.

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

One of my two brothers has already gone on two long journeys. I would love to do that as well—without obligations, without a concrete plan, simply setting off into the unknown with a backpack.

Your best investment?

At least one that has stayed with me: during my banking apprenticeship in the late 1980s, a relationship manager recommended buying call options on Mylan Labs shares. They doubled in value within a short period, and I sold them before going on holiday. It was a very welcome boost to my travel budget.

Thomas Suter is an investment professional with more than 20 years of experience in currency and financial markets. In 2005, he co-founded QCAM with partners and has served as CEO since 2008. Previously, he held senior positions, including roles at UBS Investment Bank in derivatives trading and risk management. He holds an MBA from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow and internationally recognised investment analyst certifications.