HomeNewsAlumnus of the month of May 2013

Alumnus of the month of May 2013

Christoph Dreher, a 2008 graduate of the Master’s degree programme in Banking and Financial Management, felt right at home during his studies at the University of Liechtenstein. Today, he is himself a teacher in this field, and successfully manages a consultancy firm operating in the area of sustainable investment.

“I never had the feeling that I was merely a number”

Christoph Dreher, a 2008 graduate of the Master’s degree programme in Banking and Financial Management, felt right at home during his studies at the University of Liechtenstein. Today, he is himself a teacher in this field, and successfully manages a consultancy firm operating in the area of sustainable investment.

Mr. Dreher, you teach at the University of Liechtenstein’s Institute for Financial Services, and also used to study there. What do you associate with the University of Liechtenstein?

I really like the university’s concept. As a relatively small university, it has specialized in distinct areas, keeping its finger on the pulse of the regional economy. The University of Liechtenstein also has an excellent mentoring ratio. 

Are you referring to the ratio of students to lecturers?

Yes, precisely. Compared to other universities, the mentoring ratio is very good. This confers the feeling of being well taken care of at the university.

Why did you decide to study Business Administration at the university in 2003? Surely the world was your oyster.
Following my school-leaving examinations in Götzis, I had a shortlist of three universities in mind. Due to the poor level of support provided to students there, an Austrian university was out of the question. Ultimately, I decided on the University of Liechtenstein. Here, there is a strong focus on banking, and I never had the feeling that I was merely a number.

Were you sure even before beginning your studies that you would one day work in the banking industry?
I have always been fascinated by the various branches of the financial industry. I am definitely a numbers person. 


Christoph Dreher, a 2008 graduate, is today himself a teacher at the University of Liechtenstein’s Institute for Financial Services and is a partner at and a joint founder of CSSP AG in Vaduz.


Today you are professionally engaged in the field of sustainable investment. Where did you first encounter this form of investment?
When I completed my studies, I wanted to work for one of the major consultancy companies. But before I could sign a contract, my university supervisor asked me if I would be interested in joining his company. He wanted to launch a product in the area of sustainable investment and was looking for a managing director for his investment company. So I said yes.

Does this mean that sustainable investment was gaining in popularity in 2008?

Sustainable investment products are still niche products. But this is an area which has gained increasing attention over the past five years, and grown accordingly. At that time, there were only 15 investment funds globally which invested in microfinance. This has of course changed massively today.

How can investments be sustainable?
Along with profit, investors emphasize the social and environmental aspects of their investments. Products which involve investment in offshore wind parks or solar systems form a classic example.

Four years ago, you and your partner took the big step of setting up your own business. How does the work you do today differ from what you did in your previous position as a managing director?
Today I offer our clients an all-inclusive package of services in the area of sustainable investment. This ranges from analysing the current situation and setting up new investment products to providing investment controlling and staff training. If, as is the case with investment companies, I was backed by a financial product, it would be somewhat difficult to provide independent consultation.


He first graduated from the Bachelor’s degree programme in Business Administration at the University of Liechtenstein, then decided on the Master’s degree programme in Banking and Financial Management.


To what extent do you profit in your profession from what you learnt at university?
My studies in Business Administration provided me with the foundation. My Master’s degree programme in Banking and Financial Management afforded me more in-depth knowledge and the necessary framework for what I do today. I noticed this in the area of portfolio management in particular. I was able to put much of the theory I had learnt when studying into practice, even though rules of thumb and approximations are often used in practice.

From the perspective of an alumnus, what advice do you have for today’s students?
In my current profession, I draw heavily on what I learnt through the mandatory internships I completed during my studies. This is why I encourage every student to use these opportunities, and maybe to also go abroad. Anyone preferring to stay closer to home can always apply at our company. We offer internships almost every semester.

Not only do you offer internships at CSSP, but also pass on your knowledge through the university. What exactly do you teach there?
I instruct compact courses  in portfolio management for the continuing education programmes. As I am extremely busy, I am not able to guarantee a fixed number of hours each week. This is why these continuing education courses are perfect for me, as they are carried out as block programmes. Here, I can also incorporate my knowledge of sustainable investment.

In what way?
Over the last few years, we have established a database for all the sustainable investment products currently available on the market. Initially, we only used this database internally. Today, we work together with major international partners such as MSCI ESG Research and Thomson Reuters, and also allow students to benefit from our knowledge as part of our collaboration with the University of Liechtenstein. I am really pleased about this.

Curriculum vitae – Christoph Dreher 

(Born 1984, lives in Götzis)
  • Since 2009: partner at and joint founder of CSSP AG in Vaduz 
  • Since 2008: lecturer at the University of Liechtenstein’s Institute for Financial Services
  • 2008–2011: Enabling Microfinance AG in Vaduz 
  • 2008: graduation from the Master’s degree programme in Banking and Financial Management at the University of Liechtenstein
Additional information on Christoph Dreher and CSSP AG