Citywealth Leaders List, 60 second interview – Bruno Bächli, Wenger Vieli

Date: 15 Apr 2026

Karen Jones

This week’s 60 seconds Citywealth Leaders List interview is dedicated to Bruno Bächli, Co-Head of Private Clients at Wenger Vieli.

Tell Citywealth readers a bit about your role.

I am Co-Head of the Private Clients team at the Swiss law firm Wenger Vieli and currently serve as Managing Partner of our firm.
I am also the husband of my wonderful wife Sarah and the father of our 20-year old son Eric.
Both roles – my professional and my private one – are equally important to me.

What does a typical day look like for you?

I arrive in the office before 7 a.m., eat my Müesli, drink a cup of tea – either Earl Grey or peppermint – and start my working day with emails. I enjoy the quiet and peace before everyone else arrives at the office. After 8 a.m., it’s typically a constant stream of calls, meetings, analyses, and decisions.
Things start to calm down again around 5 or 6 p.m. I close my day at the office as I started it: reviewing emails.
After having dinner with my family – an important ritual for us – I read or watch something interesting but typically not directly work-related, preferably together with my wife.
Twice a week, I go for an hour-long jog during my lunch break. I stick to this routine like a rock, because regular exercise is extremely important to me. It allows me to recharge my mental batteries and stimulates my creative thinking.

Tell us about a recent interesting client instruction.

A few days ago, we had our first meeting with a Swiss resident, about 30 years of age, seeking our support in connection with the large international estate of his father living abroad. Topics include cross-border wealth and tax structuring, family governance and succession planning across three generations, and setting up a family office to manage the estate. We will act as international lead counsel, coordinating the advice of local law firms in the multiple jurisdictions concerned.

What challenges do your clients face?

Dealing with complexity, uncertainty, family dynamics, and emotions. My role is to listen, simplify, identify possible solutions, explain them to our clients in plain language, and give clear and actionable advice. I want to empower our clients to move forward with confidence rather than remain stuck in uncertainty.

What makes a great leader?

A great leader inspires trust and brings people along – especially when things are complex and prospects are uncertain. A great leader combines competence and confidence with the humility to explain decisions simply and transparently, and to keep everyone aligned and moving forward. Last but not least, a great leader assumes responsibility, acts a role model, and walks the talk.

Who do you most admire and why?

Without a doubt: Zinedine Zidane. He combines exceptional talent with calm, understated, effortless leadership. He performs under pressure without ego, leads by example, and earns respect rather than demanding it. Whether as a player or coach, he is a living example that quiet confidence and composure can be incredibly powerful.

For my 40^th birthday, my wife surprised me with a Zinedine Zidane watch – a special edition and one of the best gifts I have ever received.

Last place you travelled?

London – to attend the IBA Private Client conference and to visit some of our UK partner law firms in the UK. I love London: the sights, the atmosphere, the pace, the diversity, and everything typically British.

If you weren’t in tax law?

I would want to be a gardener, specializing in Japanese gardens. They are a wonderful blend of precision, elegance, simplicity, patience, and a touch of Zen.