Guess Inc., a leading global lifestyle brand, has announced the appointment of Markus Neubrand as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective August 1, 2022. Neubrand will succeed interim CFO Dennis Secor, who will stay with the company as Executive Vice President through March 2024 to ensure a seamless transition. Furthermore, the retailer has also promoted Fabrice Benarouche to Senior Vice President of Finance and Investor Relations and Chief Accounting Officer, which took effect immediately.
Markus Neubrand is a seasoned executive with over 20 years of experience in finance, accounting, and strategic planning. Before joining Guess, he served as CFO for multi-billion-dollar apparel companies, including the largest vertically integrated textile company in North America, where he was responsible for managing a team of over 400 finance and accounting professionals. Neubrand holds a Masters in Economics from the University of Ulm in Germany and a Masters in Business Administration from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.
As CFO of Guess, Neubrand will oversee the company’s global finance and accounting functions, including financial planning and analysis, treasury, tax, and investor relations. He will report directly to Carlos Alberini, Chief Executive Officer of Guess, and work closely with him and the executive leadership team to develop and execute growth strategies for the company. His appointment marks a significant milestone for the retailer, which has been without a permanent CFO since June 2021, when Dennis Secor took on the role on an interim basis. Secor will remain with Guess for another two years, providing continuity and support during the transition period.
In his new role as Senior Vice President of Finance and Investor Relations, Fabrice Benarouche will oversee the company’s financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes, as well as its shareholder and debt holder relations. He will also continue to be responsible for the company’s accounting function and will ensure compliance with financial reporting and regulatory requirements. Benarouche has been with Guess for over a decade, holding various finance management roles since 2011. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration from SKEMA Business School in France and is a certified public accountant.
The appointments of Neubrand and Benarouche and the restructuring of the finance and accounting functions align with Guess’ strategic plan to strengthen its leadership team and position the company for long-term growth. With a renewed focus on digital transformation, supply chain optimization, and international expansion, Guess aims to leverage its iconic brand and successfully compete in the highly demanding and continuously evolving global fashion market.
Carlos Alberini, Chief Executive Officer of Guess, stated: “I am very pleased to welcome Markus to the Guess family. His extensive experience and proven track record in the apparel industry make him a great fit for our organization as we navigate the rapidly changing retail and consumer landscape. I am also excited to congratulate Fabrice on his well-deserved promotion. His deep understanding of our business and strong financial expertise have been invaluable to the company, and I look forward to his continued contributions in his expanded role.”
Founded in 1981, Guess is a leading lifestyle and fashion brand known for its timeless and trend-setting designs. With stores in over 100 countries worldwide and an extensive product portfolio that spans categories such as apparel, accessories, eyewear, fragrance, and footwear, Guess has become synonymous with the unique combination of American and European style it offers. In recent years, the company’s growth strategy has been centered on omni-channel retailing and market expansion, particularly in high-growth regions like Asia-Pacific.
As the global economy continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the appointments of Markus Neubrand as CFO, and Fabrice Benarouche as Senior Vice President of Finance and Investor Relations, signal a strong commitment by Guess to fortify its leadership team and ensure the company is well-prepared for future challenges and opportunities. With seasoned executives at the helm of its finance and accounting functions, Guess is poised to capitalize on its brand equity, optimize its operational performance, and deliver sustainable, long-term value to its shareholders.
