The World Economic Forum likes to see its annual meetings in Davos as a forum for politicians, business people and regulators to discuss the problems facing the world. For many captains of industry, however, the gathering is largely an opportunity to talk to each other – in private.

As is the case with any event where the heads of the world’s largest companies gather regularly, the Swiss conference is a fixture for chief executives who want to schmooze potential clients, seek out new investors or discuss potential deals.