SIGNA Retail

Torsten Toeller, the founder and sole owner of Fressnapf Tiernahrungs GmbH, completed an apprenticeship in retailing after obtaining his secondary school leaving certificate, and went on to do a degree in the subject. After a business trip to the US, he developed the idea of a store selling pet food and accessories on the German market. At the age of 24 he opened the first Fressnapf store, in Erkelenz, followed in 1992 by the first franchise outlet. Fressnapf is currently the leader in the pet supplies market, with around 1,400 stores in 12 European countries, more than 10,000 employees and revenue of over EUR 1.8 billion. In 2012 Mr Toeller set up Devario Invest GmbH, a company that develops and finances real estate projects. Two years later he established the GENUI private equity fund, which provides companies with growth capital.

Roland Berger is regarded as Grand Seigneur of the international consulting sector. In 1967 he founded Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, the leading global advisory firm headquartered in Europe, of which he is honorary chairman. In addition, he is member of several supervisory and advisory boards. His Roland Berger foundation annually awards the Roland Berger trophy on human dignity and assists talented children from socially disadvantaged families to enter higher education.

Dr. David Bosshart is CEO of the Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute for Economic and Social Studies since 1999. The Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute (GDI) is an independent think tank in economics, society and consumption. The trend research institute based in Rüschlikon near Zurich is the oldest think tank in Switzerland. Bosshart holds a PhD in philosophy and is the author of numerous international publications and sought-after speaker worldwide. His work focuses on the future of consumption, societal transformation, digitisation (human-machine), management and culture, globalisation and political philosophy.

Harald Christ, manager and entrepreneur, worked from 1992 to 2002 at BHW Bausparkasse AG and Deutsche Bank AG, lastly as Director of Private Banking. From 2002 to 2007, he took on the responsibilities of Chief Executive of the Board of Directors and shareholder of HCI Capital AG. From 2007 to 2009, he served on the divisional executive board of WestLB and as global Head of Private Banking of the Bank. Since 2002, he has been active in his own corporate group as an investor and business angel. From 2013 to 2016, he was on the divisional executive board of the Deutsche Postbank AG and chief executive of the Board of Postbank Finanzberatung AG. Up to the end of 2017, he was a member of the executive body of Ergo Deutschland AG, and chief executive of the board of Ergo Beratung und Vertrieb AG. He also holds a number of supervisory mandates and honorary positions, among them at ERGO Versicherung and Karstadt Warenhaus. Since the beginning of 2018, he has provided advice and consultancy by way of Christ&Company to companies and organizations in the sectors of strategy, communications, and senior advisory.

Dr. Dieter Berninghaus is Chairman of the Executive Board at SIGNA Group and Chairman of SIGNA Retail, as of September 1, 2016. Previously, from the beginning of 2008 to August 2016, Mr. Berninghaus was member of the General Management and CEO at the Swiss Migros Group, being responsible for the entire retail business. Moreover, in his position as member and chairman of the board of directors Mr. Berninghaus managed 15 companies of the Swiss retail giant. Prior to this he was member and afterwards chairman of the board of directors at Denner AG/Rast Holding AG (2004-2008). Previously, Mr. Berninghaus held the positions of CEO as well as of spokesperson of the board of directors at REWE Group (1999-2004). At the Metro AG (1991-1999) – in his last position as director – Mr. Berninghaus headed the business division internationalization and strategic corporate development.