Die Familie hinter C&A ordnet ihr Milliardenreich neu – und lässt einen Aussenseiter das Vermögen verwalten

The Brenninkmeijer clan, based in the Netherlands, is one of Germany's wealthiest families, with an estimated fortune of 12.7 billion euros, according to the "Manager Magazine." Their wealth primarily stems from the fashion company C&A, which they own but only represents a fraction of their total fortune. The family consists of around 1,500 individuals, with around 50 men and women at its core.

The majority of their funds are now invested in three investment companies: Bregal, Redevco, and Anthos, all based under a Swiss holding company called Cofra, located in Zug.

The family plans to transform their current operations into an investment company, with external partners investing in its offerings. A young manager, Georg Wunderlin, is set to take over as CEO, making him the first non-family member to lead the investment group. Wunderlin has experience working with the British asset manager Schroders, where he led the Schroders Capital division since 2019, focusing on investments in real estate and companies. He previously worked for Boston Consulting Group and UBS.

Wunderlin's appointment is expected to help streamline the transition at Cofra, where the new board chairman, Brenninkmeyer, believes he possesses the right blend of leadership skills, investment experience, ambition, and humility to continue the family's course. The family maintains that their investment decisions are driven by wealth accumulation and societal benefit.

Their investments are mostly undisclosed, but it's reported that they have attracted funds from external investors, including pension funds from the USA and an investment company from Liechtenstein's LGT.

The textile retailer C&A, a part of the family business, has faced financial struggles in recent years. Despite multiple insolvencies, the company continues to operate, though its future remains uncertain. Recently, C&A is reportedly in negotiations with Swedish clothing company H&M regarding a potential sale. The new CEO's focus will be on driving economic growth, despite the challenges faced by the family's primary investment.