Club des Leaders

CEO of Forbes Mike Perlis and CIRCA Geneva Director Vivien Yakopin

In 2010, the Leaders Club was created in Geneva, aiming to bring together personalities holding top positions in finance, luxury, fashion, real-estate, media, politics, arts and International Gotha. Their exclusive lunches are organized in Geneva, London, Paris, and Gstaad, and regularly feature high profile guest speakers.

Last Monday, January 28th CIRCA was in attendance at the Leaders Club luncheon in Geneva featuring guest speaker Mike Perlis, CEO of Forbes. Mr. Perlis so graciously accepted this speaking engagement on his return home from the World Economic Forum in Davos, sharing with us the history of Forbes and his impressions from the forum.

Forbes was started by Bertie Charles Forbes in 1917. Having overheard conversations from industrial giants of his time, such as Carnegie, and Rockefeller, he decided to start writing about it so that others could benefit from their knowledge. Forbes is known throughout the world for its famous lists including; World’s Most Powerful People and World’s Billionaires. Although, Mr. Perlis likes to refers to it as “a 96 year old start-up,” Forbes.com now receives 40 million visitors a month.

His Royal Highness Prince Michel of Yugoslavia, Vivien Yakopin, Mr. Jacques Bonvin

Mr. Perlis reported on Davos, explaining that after several years of pessimism concerning world economic affairs, the mood has shifted to “cautious optimism.” Additionally, Mr. Perlis discussed the great work achieved by the Swiss charity, Gavi Alliance, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, a true example of capitalism and philanthropy working together. “Capitalism cannot exist without Philanthropy,” Mr. Perlis stated.

CIRCA would like to thank Mr. Perlis for hosting such a delightful and informative afternoon!