Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
The same concept can succeed brilliantly in one market and struggle in another. The deciding factor is rarely the brand itself. It's how well the market, its dynamics and the business environment are understood. This belief has shaped every major decision I've made throughout more than 25 years of building, leading and scaling international businesses across Europe, the GCC and India. From market entry and business expansion to retail operations, omnichannel and commercial transformation, I've experienced first-hand what creates sustainable growth, and what doesn't. I've had the privilege of leading expansion from both sides, shaping strategy at headquarters while building businesses on the ground. Today, I work with companies, investors and leadership teams at pivotal moments in their growth journey, bringing an operator's perspective to market entry, business expansion, strategic partnerships and commercial growth. My approach is simple. Clarity first. Then decisive action. That perspective has taught me that successful growth is rarely about moving faster. It's about making better strategic decisions before significant investments are made. Whether leading organisations, supporting strategic projects or serving in board and advisory roles, my focus remains the same: Helping businesses make better strategic decisions that create sustainable, long-term growth. Understand the market. Then make your move.
Achievements: ▪︎ Drove >50% topline and market share growth and improved bottom line by over 70% since 2022. ▪︎ Expanded the retail footprint with 64 new store openings across key cities. ▪︎ Full P&L responsibility for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, overseeing 335 stores, 950 shop-in-shops and 3,800+ employees. ▪︎ Scaled operations in a high-growth environment, strengthening omnichannel performance and operational efficiency. ▪︎ Rebuilt and strengthened retail and training teams, positioning Rituals as an attractive employer. ▪︎ Significantly expanded the customer membership base to enable future CRM and loyalty initiatives.
Responsible for the full P & L for the GCC Markets, North Africa (Egypt), India and Pakistan. Turnover in 5 years quadrupled. Achievements: ▪ Established Middle East activities from scratch and the subsidiary structure with an office in Dubai. ▪ Joint Venture in UAE with Al-Futtaim negotiated, regional HQ within the free zone opened and established. ▪ General Manager for the Joint Venture in UAE since 2015. ▪ Joint Venture with our Business Partner Salam in Qatar negotiated and in 2021 established, General Manager for the JV in Qatar since 2021. ▪ Entered into online distribution with leading local online partners like Amazon, Namshi, Ounass and Sivvi built and established. ▪ Inked new distribution partnerships in Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Pakistan.
Directed the full P & L for the German and Austrian markets. Achievements: ▪ Increased net sales since 2011 above 30 %, increased EBITDA margin above 80 %. ▪ Instrumental in the development of wholesale customers as concession and depot partner. ▪ Opened 200 new shop in shops were negotiated and placed in 2014, more than 150 openings were completed in 2015. ▪ Contributed to the continuous improvement of our branding and "look and feel" at the POS.
Significant Accomplishments: ▪ Increased the number of Netsales and Margins with double digit EBITDA margin. ▪ Involved in selling the company in 2002 from MHM München to Alpha Beteiligungsberatung. ▪ Actively involved in the selling process in 2006 from Alpha to Triton. ▪ Prepared and implemented the e-commerce concept which started initially in Germany. ▪ Served as Managing Director in our subsidiaries in UK and France. ▪ Developed the idea to create a new label with the name MYBC. ▪ Developed an independent shop in shop solution and increased the number to 292. ▪ Implemented new retail software, restructured the whole sales department and rolled out the new EDI report system.
Designations Held: ▪ Nov ’06 – May ’11: Global Managing Director of Sales and Marketing ▪ Nov ’04 – Oct ’06: Director International Sales and Marketing ▪ Mar ’99 – Oct ’04: Sales Director with Procurement Charge in Germany ▪ Apr ’03 – Oct ‘04: Assumed responsibility of the Marketing Department ▪ Nov ’95 – Feb ‘99: Area Manager Northern Germany, Berlin, Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Highlights: (As Director International Sales and Marketing) ▪ Expanded and established new markets, in Spain, Russia, Middle East and China ▪ Opened new Basler stores and contributed to the promotion of partner stores. Highlights: (As Area Manager Northern Germany, Berlin, Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania) ▪ Increased the netsales by 57 %.