In this installment of our "Meet the Team" series, we're excited to introduce Credo Partners founder Wilhelm Mohn. Wilhelm’s journey from McKinsey to establishing Credo has been one of transformation, leadership, and unwavering commitment to building outstanding companies.
Wilhelm, can you share how the idea for Credo Partners first came about?
It really started when I turned 40 in 2001. After 13 years at McKinsey, I felt a growing need to prove that I could create value on my own rather than just advising others on what they should do. So, together with three of my best CEO clients from McKinsey, we decided to establish Credo Partners as a turnaround management firm. Initially, we focused on large restructuring operations, with me handling the planning and strategy side of things.
After a few years, we realized that while we were proud of our achievements, we wanted to participate in value creation rather than just being paid as consultants. So, we re-focused our model in 2005, using the capital we had earned to invest directly into turnaround situations, with us owning the majority. This shift marked the beginning of what Credo Partners is today – a firm focused on helping ambitious owners achieve transformative growth in their companies.
And how has the company evolved since those early days?
Well, a lot has certainly happened. In 2011, we decided to split the firm into two teams – one continued the turnaround work, while the other, including myself, focused on investing in growth-oriented companies where we could apply our expertise in leadership and governance. Over the past 15 years, we’ve refined our approach, moving from case-by-case investments to a fund-based model, which has helped us grow as an institution.
What makes me most proud today is seeing how Credo has developed into an independent institution with a young, motivated team that shares a common vision. Seeing how everyone here contributes to creating value and driving strategic and operational work is incredibly fulfilling. The team’s energy and commitment make Credo what it is today.
What keeps you motivated in your role at Credo?
My motivation comes from two primary sources. First, I’m deeply curious about building companies – crafting strategies, assembling the right teams, and seeing how everything comes together to create something greater than the sum of its parts. I love the challenge of aligning strategy, people, and opportunities to achieve transformation.
Secondly, I’m driven by watching our team grow. I’ve been fortunate to see many of our team members evolve from associates to partners, not just because they’ve been here for a while but because they’ve earned it by pushing the institution forward. Seeing their development and how they take on new responsibilities is incredibly rewarding.
Is there such a thing as a typical day for you?
Honestly, they don’t exist, and that’s part of what I love about my work. I usually spend about half my time at the office and the other half in meetings, whether that’s with CEOs, investors, or others in my network. These interactions are vital to staying connected and always moving forward.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
When I’m not working, my wife and I have embarked on a unique project – we’re traveling around the world in our self-built Land Rover Defender. Each year, we spend about six weeks driving through different parts of the world. We’ve already crossed Australia, driven from Alaska to Mexico, and explored South America. Next year, we plan to tackle Africa, starting from Durban and making our way up through Namibia and Botswana. It’s a project that brings us closer together and lets us explore the world at our own pace.
Is there something people might be surprised to learn about you?
For my 60th birthday, I wanted to surprise my friends, so I took six months of opera lessons and performed four arias for them. I’m not sure I have much talent, but it was a lot of fun, and I think it’s important to push yourself to try new things – even if they’re outside your comfort zone. It was a memorable experience, and it’s something most people don’t know about me unless they were at the party!
Any final thoughts you’d like to share?
I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built at Credo. Seeing the team grow, the institution evolve, and knowing that Credo has become something much bigger than myself is a source of great satisfaction. I may have founded the company, but today, the people who work here carry the torch forward. Watching Credo thrive independently is, in many ways, the most rewarding part of this journey.
And now for our classic last question: which three emojis would you say describe you the best?
😎🤗😜🤪🇺🇦
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