BMG and Concord have revealed that Björn Bauer is expected to serve as chief financial officer of the combined company, effective upon closing of the transaction.
Based in Nashville and reporting to designated CEO Bob Valentine, he has more than two decades of strategic leadership experience. Bauer will oversee the business’s finance functions and assume responsibility for the M&A team.
Until the closing of the transaction, BMG’s current CFO, Mathis Wolter, will continue to oversee the finance function and support the integration efforts, before subsequently assuming new responsibilities within Bertelsmann.
Concord’s current CFO, Kent Hoskins, will continue to serve in his role until the closing of the transaction, at which time it is anticipated that he will take on another senior leadership position for the combined company.
Bauer will join from entertainment company RTL Group, which is majority-owned by Bertelsmann.
At RTL Group, he currently serves as an executive director and member of the executive committee, and has been chief financial officer since 2019.
“In this role, he has played a key part in advancing RTL Group’s transformation, including focusing the Group’s portfolio on its largest business units, diversifying its global content business Fremantle and building a profitable streaming business,” said a statement.
Bauer has been involved in all major transactions of the Group since 2019, including the recently approved acquisition of Sky Deutschland (GSA), and the sale of RTL Netherlands.
Björn brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of delivering strong results through operational excellence and disciplined financial management
Thomas Coesfeld
Thomas Coesfeld, designated chairman of the combined company, said: “Björn brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of delivering strong results through operational excellence and disciplined financial management. We are delighted that he is expected to join the combined company following completion of the transaction and look forward to the impact he will have as we continue to strengthen and grow the business.
“At the same time, I would like to thank Mathis for playing an instrumental role in shaping BMG’s strategic transformation, and for being a trusted partner to me and the executive team over the past three years.”
Bob Valentine, designated CEO of the combined company, said: “We are pleased that Björn is expected to join the combined company as CFO. His deep financial expertise will be invaluable as the company continues to focus on sustainable growth and long-term value creation after the transaction closes.”
Björn Bauer said: “As the global music industry evolves, the combination of BMG and Concord will be uniquely positioned to capture new opportunities through its talent focus, entrepreneurial spirit and global scale, supported by continued investments in catalogues and talent. I am excited to join the combined company upon closing of the transaction, a pivotal moment in its growth journey. I look forward to partnering with the teams to drive the combined company’s next phase of growth and support its long-term strategic ambitions.”
Prior to joining RTL Group, Bauer held senior leadership roles within Bertelsmann from 2007 onwards, including the Group’s executive vice president of corporate controlling and strategy.
He also served as CFO at Relias, Bertelsmann’s US-based online learning provider, where he supported a phase of significant growth both organically and through M&A, following its acquisition by Bertelsmann.
Photo Credit: Marina Weigl
FOLLOW 
