S.Oliver gets new CEO from car industry

German fashion group S.Oliver has found a new CEO: the aptly named Jürgen Otto, surprisingly, comes from the automobile industry.

Experience with families

S.Oliver Group has moved away from the trodden paths in its search for a new CEO: it has apoointed Jürgen Otto, who remarkably has no experience with the fashion industry. In the past, Otto was CEO of car suppliers Brose and the Dräxlmaier Group, among others.

On 1 February, Otto will take over from Claus-Dietrich Lahrs, who announced in early December that he was leaving the company. Possibly he clashed with owner and founder Bernd Freier, who is known to keep a tight grip on procedures. Otto, on the other hand, fortunately has more experience with family-run businesses.

The new CEO will be assisted by the current general managers, Oliver Hein and Volker Christ, but will also receive support from “a team of experts with proven and experienced knowledge of the textile industry”, according to the company.