Hugo Boss's supervisory board has appointed David Epstein as chief executive from 1 January 2027. He succeeds Daniel Grieder, who will step down at his own request on 31 December 2026, having been appointed to the role in June 2021.
David Epstein has been with Frasers for more than ten years. Since 2024, he has held the position of chief brand partnerships officer, overseeing relationships with brands for the group's Sport, Premium and Luxe divisions. He previously led those same Premium and Luxe divisions as managing director for five years. Michael Murray, chairman of Hugo Boss's supervisory board and chief executive of Frasers, praised his « compréhension approfondie des marques mondiales » as well as his « expérience étendue dans le retail premium et luxe », adding that he would be able to « bâtir des marques fortes, élever l'expérience client et faire avancer l'entreprise ».
Murray also thanked Daniel Grieder for « son engagement et sa contribution », saying that under his leadership the company had « affiné son positionnement et renouvelé la manière dont les marques se connectent avec les clients dans le monde ». For his part, Grieder said the time had come « de passer le relais à une nouvelle génération de dirigeants », adding that he was most proud of what his teams had achieved over recent years.
A reshaped governance
This change at the chief executive level is part of a broader overhaul of governance. Michael Murray took over as chairman of the supervisory board in September, replacing Stephen Sturm, who was ousted by Frasers. Robert Palmer, general counsel of Frasers, was installed as the British group's second representative on the board. Deputy chief executive Oliver Timm announced his departure this week, following that of chief financial officer Yves Müller. Sinan Piskin, deputy chairman and employee representative, highlighted Michael Murray's commitment to the group's head office in Metzingen, Allemagne.
These moves follow Frasers Group's increased shareholding, after it acquired a 50.08% stake in Hugo Boss at the end of October, up from 47.89% following its summer offer. In June, an offer of 38 euros per share had been rejected by the management board and the supervisory board. Frasers, which owns Sports Direct, Flannels and Frasers, also holds stakes in Burberry, Puma and Asos, failed in its attempt to take control of Mulberry, and agreed in August to buy Harvey Nichols, which had come out of administration.
This reshuffle comes as Hugo Boss now expects sales, excluding currency effects, to decline by close to 10% for the 2026 financial year, after lowering its guidance.
