Chrono24, the global marketplace for luxury watches, has announced the appointment of former Zalando managing director Carsten Keller as CEO, effective January 1, 2024.
Keller succeeds co-managing directors Tim Stracke and Holger Felgner, who are handing over the helm to initiate “the next phase of growth” for Chrono24.
“The decision was not easy for us, but Holger and I always knew that at some point we would have to find a successor who would lead Chrono24 into the next phase of growth,” said Stracke in a statement. “Carsten’s expertise in the luxury industry and fast-moving online marketplaces as well as his experience in the management team of a listed company make him a unique candidate to open the next chapter for Chrono24. We’re very excited about what he’s going to do.”
Chrono24 brings Zalando managing director Carsten Keller on board
Over the past eight years, Keller has played a key role in building Zalando and has contributed more than 5 billion euros to the platform’s total merchandise value, according to the statement. As part of this, Keller also founded Zalando’s Connected Retail Venture, which enables more than 7,500 offline retailers to sell their goods online.
Stracke and Felgner remain major shareholders and continue to support the company as active members of the board of directors, which Stracke will lead as chairman.
“The Board is grateful to Tim and Holger for their exceptional leadership and invaluable contribution to Chrono24’s success,” added Deven Parekh, Managing Partner at Insight Partners and investor in Chrono24. “Carsten is without a doubt the best possible successor to lead the company. He is a proven leader, a great fit for the company culture, has a strong business vision and the ability to bring people together. His perspective on the global future of the luxury industry fits Chrono24’s needs perfectly as we enter a new phase of further product innovation and growth.”
Founded in 2003, Chrono24 offers new, used and vintage watches and has 530,000 watches from more than 35,000 professional dealers and private sellers.
This translated post previously appeared on FashionUnited.com