Bruno Sälzer steps down as Bench CEO

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Mar 19, 2018

Bruno Sälzer is leaving the CEO role at clothing brand Bench three years after becoming chief executive and chairman, following his acquisition of a 15% stake in the business.

Sources close to the matter told German magazine Capital that Sälzer is stepping down to focus on his various board roles. The former CEO of Boss and Escada sits on the boards of Amer Sports, Lacoste and Deichmann. In fact, he has been chairman of the board of directors of Amer Sports, a Finnish sporting goods company which owns brands like Salomon, Atomic and Wilson, since 2017.

Bench declined to comment when contacted by Capital.

Sälzer will reportedly retain his 15% stake in Bench. He purchased the company in 2014 with majority owner Emeram Capital Partners, which controls the remaining 85% of the streetwear brand.

Bench employees were informed about Sälzer’s resignation on Monday, according to German media. His responsibilities will be divided between the brand’s senior managers.