Early Life and Education
Marcel Erni was born in Switzerland. He earned an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a PhD in finance and banking from the University of St. Gallen. These academic achievements provided a strong foundation for his career in finance and investments.
Rise to Success
Erni co-founded Partners Group in 1996, along with Alfred Gantner and Urs Wietlisbach. The three founders, who previously worked at Goldman Sachs, started the firm with a vision to build a different kind of investment company. They pooled together $100,000 for startup capital, and the firm has since become a global leader in private markets.
Key Business Strategies
Partners Group focuses on private equity, infrastructure, real estate, and private debt. The firm's strategy emphasizes thematic investing and working closely with management teams to implement operational improvements and drive growth. Partners Group has invested over $244 billion in private markets opportunities on behalf of its clients since its founding. The firm’s success is also attributable to their focus on transformational investing.
Philanthropy
Beyond his business endeavors, Erni is involved in philanthropy, supporting charitable causes related to education, healthcare, and environmental conservation.