Headspace: Moritz Bachmann

What are you thinking about right now?

It’s Monday morning, and beside the weekly prioritisation in the office, I’m thinking about the future of risk management and internal audit. How will these two governance bodies be able to work closer together in a world with increasing uncertainty, and where old rubrics, traditional models and past rules quickly become obsolete?

What makes you happy?

When my son wakes up in the morning and I see the smile on his face. It’s like an island of peace in a world full of risks. I then realise how privileged I am to be able to provide for my wife and son.

What makes you unhappy?

When something or someone lets me down. It’s an important and positive thing to believe in the honesty and goodness of a person or organisation, but sadly in many cases it is little more than an illusion. When trust and/or good faith has been misused, especially when it has been misused for ill-gotten gain, I get very unhappy.

What is your greatest fear?

I don’t have a great deal of confidence in the world’s capability to manage future challenges, such as increasing population, environmental threats and global crises. It seems that humans have rarely been able to put aside their personal interests to work together for their common good.

What is your most treasured possession?

My son, my wife and my life.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned?

I’m going to name two. In my professional life, I’ve learned that patience is key for all achievements. If everything has been done appropriately and I did my best, the next award or career development will present itself when ready. So it’s worthless to stress about it not arriving as fast as expected. In my private life, the slogan I use for my training is: “pain is temporary, success is forever”.

Who is your greatest hero?

Dick Hoyt, and his son, Rick, who compete together in marathons and triathlons despite Rick’s handicaps and boundaries. They use these tremendous achievements not only for themselves, but also to help others who are physically disabled. They say - and this is something I totally agree with - “You can do anything you want to do as long as you make up your mind.”

What is the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?

Taking risks is my way of life, because I see a risk as also being an opportunity. My goal is to experience new things, and this is something I’ve tried to do throughout my life. For example, I’ve been canyoning in foreign countries, finished a half ironman, and played music in large public concerts. For me, the biggest risk would have been not to have taken any of them!

Tell us a secret

There is a tomato soup stain on my tie, but no one can see it.

Moritz Bachmann, head of corporate audit and risk services, MCH Group