Peter Gloystein
Peter Gloystein | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 25, 1945 Bremen, Germany |
| Occupation(s) | Banker, politician, business consultant |
| Years active | 1971–present |
| Known for | Banking career at Commerzbank and BHF-Bank; Lord Mayor of Bremen (2004–2005) |
Peter Gloystein (born 25 November 1945 in Bremen, Germany) is a German banker and politician affiliated with the Christian Democratic Union. His professional banking tenure was primarily linked to Commerzbank and BHF-Bank based in Frankfurt. Between September 2004 and May 2005, he held the positions of Lord Mayor, Senator for Economics and Harbours, and Senator for Culture in the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, stepping down following a contentious episode. Presently, he operates as a business consultant.
Qualifications, profession, family
Gloystein was born in Bremen in 1945 and pursued studies in Business Management at the University of Hamburg, where he earned his doctorate in 1977. His dissertation, funded by the European Community, focused on industrial restructuring and was later published under the title Financing of industrial restructuring through the EC.
His early career included work as a scientific lecturer at the HWWA-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung in Hamburg from 1971 to 1975. Subsequently, he transitioned into investment banking at WestLB in Düsseldorf, serving from 1975 until 1981. At Commerzbank AG, where he remained until 1999, Gloystein progressed from roles in financial planning to become Head of the Stuttgart Branch in 1986, followed by deputy board member in 1990 and full board member from 1991. In 1999, he joined the boards of BHF-Bank and ING Group’s Executive Committee Europe. As CEO of BHF-Bank starting in 2000, he managed areas including controlling, credit-risk oversight, legal affairs, auditing, and corporate communications. He resigned in 2002 due to conflicting views on strategic direction within the German market.
During the late 1990s, Gloystein served on the European Banking Association board and represented Germany on the European Commission’s Maas-Commission that prepared for the establishment of the European Monetary Union.
In August 2004, the CDU selected him to replace Harmut Perschau as Bremen’s Lord Mayor and Senator for Economics and Harbours, as well as Senator for Culture; he officially took office on 8 September 2004.
Gloystein is a widower and father of two children.
Controversy
At Bremen Wine Week on 12 May 2005, Gloystein poured a magnum bottle of sparkling wine over a homeless man near the event stage. Despite visible disapproval from attendees, Gloystein reportedly laughed during the incident. The homeless individual reacted emotionally and refused compensation offered afterward, declaring he would not accept a bribe. Gloystein stated his intention had been to pour wine into the man’s mouth; however, the man allegedly turned away.
The two met again later and parted on what was described as "friendly terms," although police confirmed that charges were filed by the homeless man. Facing mounting media scrutiny and political pressure, Gloystein resigned his offices following this event.
Present activities
Afterwards, Gloystein returned to business consulting with an emphasis on finance and cultural management. Initially based in Bremen until 2008, he then relocated his consultancy operations to Düsseldorf. His advisory work has included M&A consultancy roles such as advisory director at Lincoln International (Frankfurt/Chicago), chairman of Deutsche Mergers & Acquisitions AG’s supervisory board (2011–2022), and leadership positions at rating agency Scope—chairing its supervisory board from 2007 to 2016 and serving on its advisory board until 2018. From 2018 through early 2022, he engaged with projects at Fakt AG (Essen) and SUNfarming Group (Erkner). Until 2023, he was an advisory board member at private equity firm Allistro Capital GmbH (Frankfurt). Since 2022, he has chaired DAIDALOS Investment Advisors GmbH’s supervisory board. In mid-2023, he ended his management consulting activities except for maintaining his role with DAIDALOS.
Gloystein continues active participation within cultural organizations. Until 2022, he chaired the supporting board for the Cultural Project Hombroich (Neuss) and managed Urban Planning Corporation Raumortlabor Hombroich gemeinnützige Stiftungs GmbH. Currently, he presides over the Friends Association of Teatro La Fenice (Berlin) and holds a board position with the Friends Association of Deutsche Oper am Rhein (Düsseldorf/Duisburg). Formerly involved with the Bayreuth Music Festival’s Friends Association, he served as executive board chairman until 2010. Since 2014, he has led the Board of Trustees at Johanniter Hospital Bethesda located in Mönchengladbach.
Cultural Involvements
- Honorary Advisory Board member for the Promotion of the Artistic and Cultural Center Hombroich, located in Neuss
- Chairperson of the Friends of Teatro la Fenice e.V. management board, based in Berlin
- Trustee on the Board of Friends of Deutsche Oper am Rhein Düsseldorf/Duisburg
- Co-patron of the Wagner Museum in Venice; serves as Vice Chair of the Fondazione Internazionale Richard Wagner di Venezia