Bogner reported that CEO Gerrit Schneider had decided to leave the company at the end of 2024 in order to accept a position at another company. The Munich-based lifestyle and luxury sports fashion company also said Daniel Hiendlmeier has been appointed to the management board and the Bogner family has decided to sell shares in the firm to a strategic partner.
Schneider has been with Bogner since March 2019. After starting as CFO, she first became Bogner co-CEO in April 2020 and took over the management of the company as sole CEO in November 2022. The German sportswear brands said, “With Gerrit Schneider at the helm, Bogner successfully completed a performance program in recent years, reduced complexity and made itself faster, more flexible and more profitable in the long term. Since then, Bogner has been on a sustainable global growth path.”
Bogner also noted that Hiendlmeier was appointed to the management board on June 1, 2024 and take on “an active role in shaping the future of Bogner.” He has been with Bogner since May 2023 and has driven important initiatives in the areas of sustainability, China joint venture and corporate culture. In his positions before Bogner, Hiendlmeier held management positions at Adidas, Gore and most recently Mammut, where he was head of business unit apparel.
The leadership change comes as Bogner begins seeking out “strong partners” through the sale of shares in order to invest together in the global growth of the group of companies. The two managing directors Hiendlmeier and Schneider – until the latter’s departure – together with CFO Frank Wiesner and general counsel and compliance officer counsel Juliane Drerup-Hero will accompany the search for new investors and “lead the company together with the strong and proven management team” The structured process for finding investors will be begin soon.
Bogner said it achieved record revenues in the 2023/24 fiscal year with corresponding financials to be published soon.
“We want to continue Bogner’s success story together with a strong partner,” said shareholder Florinda Bogner, who, like her father and co-shareholder Willy Bogner Jr., does not have an active position in the company. “Bogner is on a successful course. Now is the right time to find a partner who can invest in Bogner in the long term and with strong capital.”
Arndt Geiwitz, chairman of the Advisory Board of Bogner: “We have been able to continuously develop Bogner over the past five years. In the last financial year, the company achieved the highest sales in its history. Bogner is in an outstanding position to grow worldwide, but this requires strengthening equity. Gerrit Schneider has played a significant role in this very positive development. On behalf of the Advisory Board and the entire company, I would like to thank Gerrit Schneider for her extraordinary commitment and am delighted that she will be closely monitoring the sale of shares together with Daniel Hiendlmeier.”
