Coopers Exec­ut­ive 2025

The autumn winds swept through Basel, yet inside the Orangerie Basel the atmosphere was warm and open. In a small, exclusive setting, business leaders gathered for our new format, Executives Hautnah, to engage in honest conversations about leadership, responsibility, and the people behind the executive roles.
Our speakers, Andreas Kraler , Managing Director of HELLA Sonnen- und Wetterschutztechnik GmbH, and Matthias Schüle, President of the Black Forest Medical Group, created an evening of striking contrasts and genuine harmony.

Andreas Kraler shared his entrepreneurial journey with Austrian charm and enthusiasm, speaking about growth, transformation, and the moments when things did not go as planned. His openness and humor quickly made it clear that success often comes from experience, and sometimes from the ability to accept mistakes with a smile.

Matthias Schüle complemented this with calm, focused presence. He spoke about how he consciously creates moments of stillness, even in a demanding daily routine of leading a company, traveling, and family life. Through sports and meditation, he proactively strengthens his mental well-being and resilience. For him, it is about balance, maintaining the inner focus that provides stability in professional life as well.

Both offered candid insights into their experiences as entrepreneurs and as individuals – honest, approachable, and unguarded. They spoke about accountability, current challenges, family, and how leaders can remain centered when everything around them is in motion.

The evening was moderated by Jan-Philipp Schwarz, who has known both speakers for many years. His familiarity brought a personal dynamic to the conversation and guided it toward topics that are rarely discussed publicly.
That same openness extended to the participants. Many said they felt as though they already knew Andreas and Matthias, which made it easy to continue the dialogue during the apéro that followed.

A special thank-you goes to our catering partners: with Italian specialties from Etna Pasticceria and selected wines from Vinaiolo, guests toasted, talked, and laughed in a relaxed atmosphere.

The positive feedback from participants confirmed that Executives Hautnah struck exactly the right note:

• 5/5 points for the event overall and its organization
• 4.8/5 points for the venue
• 100% made valuable new connections
• 100% would attend again

We were delighted to read comments such as “an all-around successful evening,” “it was a privilege to be part of it,” and “I enjoyed the event a lot, especially appreciated the opportunity to connect and exchange afterwards.” We also received helpful suggestions and are grateful to all guests for their participation. It was a pleasure to have each and every one of you with us.

For us, it was equally rewarding to see how lively the discussions became and how naturally participants connected with one another. In the spirit of both hautnah and our Coopers principle in good company.

“Definitely again,” one participant said. We could not agree more. We look forward to continuing Executives Hautnah next year. Again with inspiring personalities, genuine insights, and conversations that last.

A heartfelt thank-you also goes to Matthias and Andreas for their openness and willingness to share, and to all the guests who made the evening special.
Our sincere appreciation extends to our internal team for initiating and flawlessly organizing the event; especially Jan-Philipp, Irina, Jasmin, Elena, Denise, and Christian.

If you would like to join us for the next Executives Hautnah evening, simply send us an e-mail. We look forward to welcoming you at the next event.

Your Coopers Executive Team
#ingoodcompany