Martin Verma and Dirk Bornemann have taken over the management of Pioneer Authentic Jeans.
Together they have formed the new dual leadership of the denim specialist since March 1st, the parent company Ahlers AG, which also owns the brands Baldessarini, Pierre Cardin and Otto Kern, announced on Monday. Verma and Bornemann succeed Peter Kelzenberg, who remains in the group as managing director of Otto Kern. He also takes over the group’s jeans and trousers coordination.
“Peter Kelzenberg shaped Pioneer for 16 years and led the brand to a significant player in the pants and jeanswear market,” explains Stella Ahlers, CEO of Ahlers AG. “We thank him very much for his great commitment and the successful development of Pioneer.”
The new management comes from within the ranks of Ahlers AG. Verma began his career at the age of 17 as a trainee at the Herford clothing group. From 2010 to 2012 he worked in procurement at the Swiss fashion group Holy Fashion Group. From 2014 to 2016 he worked as a product manager at Pioneer Jeans before moving to trousers manufacturer Brax. The 41-year-old has been back at Pioneer since 2020 and previously worked as Head of Product.
Bornemann has been a sales manager at Pioneer for 16 years. Before that, he worked for the Mustang jeans brand and as a buyer for an owner-managed chain store.