Wolfgang Schmidt-Soelch

One person who gets asked that question a lot is Wolfgang Schmidt-Soelch, former CFO of Winterthur International, a unit of Swiss insurer Winterthur, recently acquired by French rival Axa.Having decided that "the constraining rhythm of quarterly life in a large company" wasn't for him, Schmidt-Soelch became a partner in the Zurich office of Heidrick & Struggles, and is now helping the executive headhunter to build up its insurance and CFO practice in German-speaking parts of Europe, while also, like other former CFOs, applying the lessons he learned as a client of professional services."I just didn't see my future in large corporates," he says.

The transition has been an eye-opener.

Wolfgang Schmidt-Soelch, a Zurich-based partner with headhunter Heidrick & Struggles, says most senior investment banking posts have little power and authority behind them compared with a CFO.That may not suit CFOs who are used to being at the top of the tree.Adjusting to the different working style can also be tough."Although you have an infrastructure behind you, all of a sudden you're on your own," says Schmidt-Soelch.
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Schmidt-Soelch reckons Symonds, 48, will be able to afford to retire com-fortably after about five years on the Goldman Sachs gravy train.
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"I would think it's still very unusual," says Schmidt-Soelch.

Wolfgang Schmidt-Soelch ( Corporate Development )

Executive Board of Winterthur Insurance

Wolfgang Schmidt-SoelchHead of Market Group 2

Wolfgang Schmidt-Sölch; Head Market Group 2
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Wolfgang Schmidt-SölchHead Market Group 2 Winterthur Group

Mr. Wolfgang Schmidt-Soelch, Head of Winterthur Insurance Market Group II, came to Taiwan to celebrate this event.

Wolfgang Schmidt-SoelchChairman of the Board, Head of Market Group II, Winterthur Swiss Insurance Company