Werner Rey

Werner Kurt Rey colloquially Werner K. Rey (/ɹeɪ/; born 6 October 1943) is a Swiss businessman, investor and former banker who is based in the United Kingdom. In 1999, Rey was found guilty of fraud, falsification of documents and fraudulent bankruptcy, in the second largest bankruptcy case in Switzerland after Swissair. Rey, who was the son of a physician, made headlines after his acquiring the majority of Bally fashion house in 1976, and ultimately selling it to the Oerlikon-Bührle concern, which was the foundation for his multinational conglomerate Omni Holding AG, which would have assets in excess of $4 billion under management. He was often referred to as a white knight in his acquisitions. After more than six years in Bahamian exile, Rey was extradited to Switzerland, where he ultimately was sentenced to four years imprisonment. He was released from prison on 14 February 2000 and has since returned to London, where his wife is originally from. He has since engaged in a variety of new business ventures, notably with Daniel Aegerter.