Daniel Müller | Partner & Director MU Switzerland
When I joined Mercuri Urval (MU) back in 2012, I was drawn by one thing above all: the opportunity to truly make a difference. For clients, for candidates, and for myself. From day one, I realised MU is not a company that tells you what to do. It’s a place that encourages you to think, act, and grow like an entrepreneur.
Over the years, I’ve been trusted with responsibility early on. Building client relationships across industries, advising leaders through transformation, and eventually shaping entire practices. This freedom to build something meaningful while being part of a truly global team is what keeps me motivated every day. Your career is not a predefined path, it’s something you actively design. The culture rewards initiative and long-term thinking, not just short-term wins. I’ve always appreciated that combination of trust, challenge, and support. It’s rare to find a company where you can stay true to your own values while continuously evolving professionally. And MU has been and still is exactly that for me.
At MU we say: “It’s all about people”. Therefore, it’s the people, but also the way we work together. MU attracts colleagues who are curious, ambitious, and care deeply about helping others succeed. Whether it’s in Zurich, Stockholm, or Singapore, I always feel part of a community that shares a common purpose. One story that captures this spirit happened early in my career, when I was still finding my feet in the business. A senior colleague took the time to mentor me, not because he had to, but because he wanted to see me grow. That attitude, helping each other rise, still defines how we work today.
There’s also something unique about our mix of independence and collaboration. We are entrepreneurial in the best sense: everyone can shape their business, yet we’re never alone. You can always pick up the phone and find an expert somewhere in the MU world who’s ready to help. That combination of trust, freedom, and shared purpose is what makes MU such an extraordinary place to work.
Looking back at my career at MU, I’d say it has been a series of growth moments. Becoming a Partner in 2018, after “only” six years with the company, was a milestone. Not just professionally, but personally. It symbolised that the company believes in long-term commitment and rewards people who invest in building something lasting. Another highlight has been setting up and leading the Digital Transformation Practice globally. Working with brilliant colleagues across continents, helping clients navigate technological and cultural change, and shaping our own positioning in this fast-moving field. This is incredibly rewarding and gives me a lot of energy. But perhaps the most meaningful highlight is seeing people I’ve recruited or developed thrive in their own MU careers. Watching others succeed is the best sign that you’re doing something right as a leader. My journey so far has been a blend of challenge, learning, and shared achievement. And I’m genuinely excited about what’s still ahead.
“Built to Last” captures perfectly what makes MU special to me. It’s about building relationships, careers, and results that stand the test of time. In a world that often celebrates quick wins, MU focuses on lasting value. For clients, candidates, and colleagues alike. For me, this mindset shapes how I work every day. When advising a client on leadership succession, for example, I’m not just thinking about filling a role. I’m thinking about the next five to ten years of that organisation. The same applies internally: we invest in developing people who will carry MU forward, not just deliver in the moment. What also sets MU apart is the foundation that underpins it, literally and figuratively. Being foundation-owned, with Nordic roots, we are financially strong and independent. That independence allows us to think and act with a long-term and sustainable perspective, free from short-term shareholder pressure. It gives us the stability to make decisions that truly serve our clients and colleagues over time. Personally, I’ve grown with MU because the company lives what it stands for. Our entrepreneurial culture empowers each of us to take ownership. Not just of our results, but of the legacy we’re building together. That’s what “Built to Last” means to me: creating something meaningful, sustainable, and enduring. Together as a global, kind and high-performing team.