Now from the outset I almost feel guilty at writing this piece down. In todays world it would be considered outrageous. At the time I think if cross examined I would have pleaded ‘guilty”.
In the last piece I reported on my good friend and client HansPeter Ackerman and the huge amount of business he gave me. Of course I cannot accurately remember the numbers involved but I do remember my own personal benchmark for a ‘good day’ was taking $10,000 in commission for the firm. Hanspeter would often make mine a very good day two or thee times over himself as business poured in. I do not know if this was down to our own excellent relationship, my own ability to identify successful investments, Swiss reciprocity or the sheer incompetence of others- I will never know.
Anyway the aforementioned Paul Neild called me one day and offered the following order. ‘You must take Hans Peter for a special night out. Don’t worry about the cost send the bill straight to me to be signed” This was so unlike Phillips and Drew of old I was shocked.
Because I was a First Vive President of UBS I also had a secretary. Cant remember her name but she was an absolute delight. I never had anything for her to do aside from arranging my travel itinerary. She was happy to help all the boys and girls in the team as a sort of universal PA. She seemed happy and it stopped me feeling guilty that I was not giving her meaningful work. I remember clearly she was of Italian origins. Her dad was marble mason who she told me only spoke Italian at home and he also was an excellent cook who would sing opera as he prepared the family meal. Not relevant to this tale but interesting in the round.
Any way I gave her the job of organising a ‘special night out with Hans Peter Ackerman’ within reason ‘no limit as to cost’. She liased with the boys on the trading desk who came up with the following. It was truly outrageous.
Hanspeter was picked up by a stretch Limo from his offices at around 5 30 and he was driven to mid town where I worked where the car picked me up. We were driven to a Russian bar and restaurant that was famous in the day. Russia back then still had some exotic overtones. We drank several shots of expensive vodka and munched on some caviar. Back to the car and down to the mid town sea port. There waiting for us a was sea plane. It looked past its best to be honest it was dark maroon with yellow stripe. We got in strapped up and were give headsets. The pilot asked us if we wanted to take off under or over the 59the street bridge!!! We taxied out and the thing roared into life. Despite the vodka my panic buttons were pushed firmly on as the bridge approached. I can remember whether it was under or over to be honest but soon we were airborne flying around manhattan. The plane pitched and yawed as the event eddies of hot air circulated from the ground below. We went down to the end of Manhattan and flew past and below Hanspeters office. Eventually, and we were both very glad, the plane touched down back near the upper East Side and we were back in the limo.
Dinner was at 7:30 I seem to remember in some restaurant that had every award going. We ate and drank well. Very well in the latter category before going to a local ‘normal’ bar where we by this time were gurgling to each other. Anticipating a late night I had agreed with Liz that I should stay in the City for the night but my secretary had excelled herself by booking me in a hotel over looking Central Park. Somehow she had convinced the booking clerk that I was ‘important’ as I was actually given the Presidential suite. I will not bore you now with other stories but this was not he last time I enjoyed the best room (in this case ‘rooms’) in the house. The Presidential Suite is seldom rented out and if you ask in the right way-this person is visiting New York looking for a Hotel in which we can use as our regular American base etc..- then you can often get to be ‘upgraded’. I woke confused in the morning with my clothes littered around the several bedrooms and bathrooms as my altered state of mind the previous evening had seen great humour in ‘enjoying the facilities to the full’. I felt absolutely awful and went into the office. A few days later all the various invoices appeared and the total cost was probably akin to a ‘very good day of my work’. I sent the bills to Dr Neild who signed off without any comment-phew. A few days later Hanspeter and I were out for a few beers and burger and we both paid our own way. Nice idea Dr Neild but probably not necessary but what a night!
Tales of a Life Well Lived 