The German sporting goods supplier Puma SE is about to change management. On Friday, the company announced the appointment of Arne Freundt as the new CEO. The 42-year-old will receive a four-year contract and will succeed Bjørn Gulden on January 1, 2023, according to a statement. Gulden, who has been CEO of the group since 2013, has decided not to extend his contract, which expires at the end of the year, Puma explained.
The future CEO comes from within the company’s own ranks. Freundt has been with Puma for over ten years and has held various management positions during this time. He has been a member of the Management Board as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) since June 2021.
“I am honored that the board of directors is giving me the opportunity to lead this great company with its fantastic people and to help it achieve new successes,” said the designated CEO in a statement. “Bjørn was an inspiring leader and I am very grateful for the time together.”
Head of the Supervisory Board Temple-Boyer considers Freundt to be “the ideal choice”
Héloïse Temple-Boyer, Chair of the Supervisory Board, justified the personnel decision. “In Arne Freundt, we have gained a recognized leader of the company as CEO,” she said in a statement. “He is the designated candidate and the ideal choice to continue Puma’s very successful path and to further accelerate the company’s momentum.” Freundt carries “the Puma family in his heart” and will “ensure that Puma continues to be the best remains a partner to the company’s retailers, suppliers and athletes,” said Temple-Boyer.
In addition, the chairman of the supervisory board paid tribute to the outgoing CEO: “We thank Bjørn Gulden for his excellent contributions during his more than nine years at Puma,” she explained. The Norwegian has “brought the Puma Group back on the road to success” and “now made sure that he leaves the company in the best shape”.
CEO Gulden decided against extending the contract
Gulden justified his decision in a statement: “I think now is the right time for Puma, for my successor and for me to leave the company. I still have a lot of energy for an operational role for the next 5 to 10 years, but that would have been too long for Puma,” said the 57-year-old.
He looked back with satisfaction on his time at the head of the group: “I had nine excellent years with the Puma family and I am very proud of what we have achieved together,” said Gulden. “Even in the tougher times we have had great momentum and have delivered record sales and profits. We have achieved this with great teams, our special culture and a great board of directors.”