Hermann Struchen – a Swiss original. Respectful, charming and hungry.

With sadness we have heard of the passing of Hermann Struchen. Our thoughts and comisserations go out to his family.

Hermann Struchen had a legendary status amongst Swiss Shareholders as being the person who regularly criticized the way companies catered their AGM’s. Though his points were valid and he was highlighting the food offerings as a measure of respect that companies had for their shareholders, his contributions provided levity which unfortunately distracted somewhat from more serious issues.

Where he was powerful was in highlighting improper compensation of senior managers when the company was performing poorly, calling it legalized theft, and he also raised his voice at other anomalies such as poor share performance. In April of this year at Credit Suisse AGM he famously noted (after Greenpeace activists had dropped down from the roof of the hall) “My plastic bag was meticulously inspected by the security at the entrance, yet Greenpeace and all their equipment got in with no problem.”

Hermann Struchen remained always a true gentleman. He will be remembered also throughout Switzerland for his memorable appearance in the leading Swiss satire show “Giacobbo/Müller” where his primary point was that when one has invited people to an event, one should serve them something appropriate. He thought ABB’s water and a chocolate bar was lousy, and he criticized being sent home from the Novartis AGM hungry and thirsty “Novartis laboratory Guinea-pigs are fed better than the shareholders”, was one of his memorable lines.

We hope that at heavens buffet he is enjoying cheese flan, roast and strawberry tarts. As much as he likes.