Early Life
Alfred Gantner was born in Baden, Aargau, Switzerland, in 1968. He completed a banking apprenticeship at Cantrade Privatbank, a former UBS subsidiary. He later pursued an MBA at Brigham Young University (BYU) Marriott School of Management in Utah. After his studies, Gantner gained experience through internships at Bankers Trust and Goldman Sachs.
Rise to Success
Gantner co-founded Partners Group in 1996 with Marcel Erni and Urs Wietlisbach, whom he met at Goldman Sachs. He served as the CEO from 1996 to 2005 and then as the Chairman of the Board of Directors from 2005 to 2014. Partners Group, a global private equity firm, has grown to manage over $174 billion in assets under management. Gantner currently serves on the board of directors and holds a 5.01% stake in Partners Group Holding AG. In December 2022, Gantner became the chairman of Breitling SA.
Key Business Strategies
Partners Group's success is attributed to its focus on private equity investments and building a strong network. The company expanded globally after its IPO in 2006 and focuses on a differentiated business model offering bespoke client solutions and semiliquid funds. The firm invests in a variety of sectors, including private equity, private debt, private real estate, and infrastructure. Partners Group's revenue in 2024 was $2.23 billion USD. The firm's market capitalization is $31.01 billion USD.
Philanthropy
Gantner is involved in philanthropy and is a member of the National Advisory Council of Brigham Young University. He has also been involved in public relations for the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics in Switzerland in 2002. Gantner's recent focus includes advocating for a progressive wealth tax in Switzerland.