Hugo Boss said its chief executive, Daniel Grieder, will leave the company at his own request, with his departure taking effect on January 1, 2027. The German fashion group named David Epstein of Frasers Group as his successor.
Frasers Group, which had already been Hugo Boss’s largest shareholder, moved to take majority control in October by raising its stake above 50%. That shift to majority ownership came after an earlier, unsuccessful 2 billion euro takeover bid.
These developments are the latest in a series of leadership changes at Hugo Boss this year. In September, the company appointed Michael Murray, the chief executive of Frasers Group, as chairman of its supervisory board.
Frasers Group, the British retailer controlled by billionaire Mike Ashley, has been increasing its footprint in premium and luxury retail segments. Within Frasers, David Epstein has held the role of chief brand partnerships officer since 2024, overseeing brand partnerships across the group’s Sport, Premium, and Luxury businesses.
The company statement set a clear timetable for the executive transition, naming the incoming chief executive and specifying the effective date for the outgoing CEO’s departure. The changes in ownership and governance underscore a rapid realignment of control and oversight at the German fashion house over the past months.
Observers will note the sequence of events: Frasers raised its shareholding to a majority level in October, less than a year after a failed takeover attempt valued at 2 billion euros, and the supervisory board leadership was adjusted in September with a Frasers executive stepping into the chair role. Against that backdrop, the appointment of a Frasers executive to the CEO role represents a further consolidation of influence by the retail group.
Epstein’s remit at Frasers has been focused on brand partnerships across multiple tiers of the retailer’s portfolio, spanning sport through to luxury. The company’s public communications provide these employment and governance details without additional commentary on strategic direction or operational changes under the new leadership.
Summary - Hugo Boss will see a change in chief executive on Jan. 1, 2027, when David Epstein of Frasers Group replaces Daniel Grieder. Frasers became majority owner in October after increasing its stake above 50%, following a prior unsuccessful 2 billion euro takeover bid. Earlier, in September, Michael Murray of Frasers was named chairman of Hugo Boss’ supervisory board. Epstein has been Frasers’ chief brand partnerships officer since 2024.