More than a match: How trust, timing and culture shape the world of work

A profile of Paolo Nocco, Business Manager at albedis Bern – on the occasion of the EFG Swiss Open Gstaad 2025

When international tennis stars gather in Gstaad in July 2025, the spotlight won’t just be on peak athletic performance. Off the center court, equally meaningful encounters will take place – precise, respectful, and impactful. One of the hosts of these special conversations is Paolo Nocco, Business Manager of the newest albedis office in Bern. His mission is clear: not just to maintain contacts, but to build meaningful relationships. Not just to represent a brand, but to create trust. 

albedis Bern: strategic development with local sensibility 

When Paolo Nocco took charge of opening and leading the newly established albedis office in Bern in spring 2024, he deliberately chose a path focused on long-term positioning rather than short-term visibility. “In Bern, it’s not about who shouts the loudest, but who delivers, listens, and stays,” he says with quiet confidence. As a native of the region, he understands the nuances that define the capital’s market: restraint over exuberance, trust over speed, substance over appearance. 

His deep understanding of the market stems not only from his origins but from a career shaped by foresight. Following roles in investment banking and consulting, Nocco found his true calling in executive search. He has successfully built two offices in the past. In 2024, with albedis – a brand specializing in expert and executive recruitment, and in Bern focused on HR and finance – he took on a third build-up: this time, not just as a doer, but as a brand ambassador for excellence, specialization, and cultural alignment. 

Putting people before résumés 

What sets Paolo Nocco apart from many of his competitors is his strong belief that recruitment is a profession built on trust. For him, it’s not about fast placements but about precise connections. “Our job is not to send résumés. Our job is to connect people with organizations in a way that lasts.” 

The so-called “perfect match,” a concept that albedis is showcasing through its engagement in Gstaad, is not an abstract ideal for Nocco – it’s an attainable goal. But only if you truly listen, look beyond the obvious, and possess the psychological depth required. It’s about values, leadership culture, and the often decisive emotional fit. Recognizing this alignment is both an art and a craft – shaped by experience, mindset, and humility. 

One particular example remains vivid in his memory: a CFO placement in which professional expertise and cultural fit aligned so precisely that the match was obvious after just one meeting. No adjustments, no convincing. Just an honest, “This works.” For Nocco, this is not coincidence, but the result of a consulting approach grounded in authenticity, not just efficiency. 

Leadership Through Attitude, Not Hierarchy 

Paolo Nocco’s role as a host in Gstaad is a reflection of his attitude – not a performance. For him, leadership isn’t a status symbol, but a form of service at the highest level. Being a host means creating a space where people can open up, connect, and think beyond the now. “A good host empowers others. They listen, build trust, and stay authentic – no matter their title or function.” 

This principle also guides his leadership style in day-to-day business. In a market shaped by a talent shortage, generational shifts, and changing values, he sees his role not primarily in recruitment, but in strategic HR and cultural consulting. “Organizations today need partners who can read between the lines, understand team dynamics, and help shape identity – not just fill roles.” 

In his work, he thinks in terms of personas rather than job descriptions. He analyzes organizations not only structurally, but culturally. And he is convinced: only those who embrace this transformation can remain relevant in future-oriented recruitment – as true sparring partners. 

Tennis as a metaphor for strategic excellence 

That the EFG Swiss Open in Gstaad provides the backdrop for these conversations is no coincidence. Few sports reflect strategic thinking, mental strength, and precision like tennis – traits that also define success in business. “In tennis, as in executive search, it’s all about timing, consistency, and sensing the decisive moment,” says Paolo Nocco. 

You don’t win matches with one powerful shot, but through a series of precise decisions – with patience, persistence, and a sense of when to take risks and when restraint is a sign of strength. For Paolo Nocco, tennis is more than a sport – it’s a metaphor for his daily work: analytical, rhythmic, demanding. 

His wish for Gstaad? No spotlight, no applause – but real connection. “I look forward to conversations with clients that go beyond day-to-day business,” he says. “To meaningful dialogue – open, personal, on equal footing – because behind every business is a person, with values, expectations, and trust.” Gstaad, he believes, is the ideal setting for building relationships that last far beyond the moment.