By the end of the year, Puma‘s management committee will have a completely different face. Following the announcement of the forthcoming departure of its head of sourcing, Anne-Laure Descours, a change of finance director has been made official.

Hubert Hinterseher, who has been with the Group for twenty years in legal and financial functions and has held this position since 2021, will be leaving Puma at the end of the year. His successor will take up his post on 1 October. But for once, Markus Neubrand, 48, does not come from the ranks of the German sports equipment manufacturer.

He was most recently CFO of Guess, based in Lugano, Switzerland. Previously, he held this position at luxury brand MCM Worldwide, but also for the US subsidiary of German group Hugo Boss, where he was also COO from 2014 to 2020. He has also spent a large part of his career with the Metzingen-based group.

“We are delighted to welcome Markus to Puma. He is an experienced financial executive with extensive expertise in operations, financial planning and stock markets. His deep industry knowledge and human approach make Markus a perfect fit with the Puma family,” said CEO Arne Freundt in a statement.

He also expressed his thanks for the departing CFO: “Through his commitment and dedication to the brand and the Puma family, Hubert has contributed to our success over the past twenty years. I wish him all the best for his professional and personal future.” After supporting the transition to his successor in the last quarter of 2024, the CEO will leave the Group.

Markus Neubrand will join the management committee, along with Arne Freundt, product director Maria Valdes and, until the end of the year, Anne-Laure Descours. For the full year, Puma expects sales growth of around 5% after adjusting for exchange rates, and operating income of between €620 and €670 million.