European bicycle manufacturer Accell Group appointed Tjeerd Jegen as CEO, shown top right, and chair of the company’s Management Board, effective November 1. Tjeerd succeeds Juan de Ochoa, who has been interim CEO and chair of the Management Board since the beginning of 2023.
Accell Group also appointed Kasper Rørsted as chair of Accell Group’s Supervisory Board, effective October 1.
The company said in a release that Tjeerd Jegen “will lead the organization in its ambition to become the number one bicycle manufacturer in Europe across its key segments: e-bikes, cargo and premium traditional bikes, supported by a strong parts and accessories business and based on a customer-centric mindset,”
Jegen is a “seasoned CEO” with over 25 years of expertise in global retail companies, having worked in senior roles in Europe, Asia and Australia. He joins Accell Group from Takko Fashion, a European discount apparel brand with close to 2,000 stores active in 17 countries.
Previously, Jegan headed the Dutch retail chain HEMA. Before joining HEMA, he managed the British supermarket chain Tesco as COO in Thailand and as CEO in Malaysia. He also led Australian supermarket chain Woolworths for over four years.
“I am delighted to be joining Accell Group,” said Jegen. “This new role brings together my passion for iconic brands and digitalization in an international environment. As an active cyclist myself, I believe cycling offers tremendous benefits to society and individuals while helping to tackle climate change and improve urban liveability. Accell Group has a strong position in the market with a portfolio of cutting-edge brands. I look forward to building on that with the team, along with the support of KKR.”
Jegan’s appointment comes at the same time as the appointment of Kasper Rørsted as chair of Accell Group’s Supervisory Board, with “strong competencies in digital transformation, leadership development, sustainability initiatives, and global business trends.”
Rørsted was previously CEO of Adidas, and, before that, at Henkel Group. He is also active as a member of corporate boards and non-profit organizations, including Siemens AG, Maersk, Woom and the European Round Table of Industrialists, having also previously served on the boards of Nestlé, ABInBev, Ecolab, and Bertelsmann.
“With someone of Tjeerd’s caliber coming in to lead the company, alongside an experienced management team and strong shareholder, I believe Accell Group has an exciting future ahead,” added Rørsted. It’s positioned in some of the most attractive market segments in the bicycle industry, with the opportunity to benefit from strong secular trends. I am delighted to join the company’s Supervisory Board and to be working alongside Tjeerd and the team to help Accell Group develop and grow over the coming years.”
Photos courtesy Accell Group, Adidas
