The duty-bound wealth manager

RESPONSIBILITY. It's a six-syllable word that carries much weight with Nicolas Pictet - and how could it not, when he represents the eighth generation to helm his centuries-old family business?

Says the managing partner of the Pictet Group, Switzerland's third-largest bank (after UBS and Credit Suisse): "I would feel very ashamed if when I retire, I have not contributed to improve (the business). If I were handing over to the next partner something which was not in the best possible state, I would think: 'Well, I've not done a good job.'

"My pride is not to make money and end up with a title and retire after a couple of years, like most of the CEOs. My pride is to make sure that on the very day when I pass away, Pictet is going to be even better than it was when I was a partner.