Bangkok, 7 July 2025 ; Central Group is pleased to announce the official appointment of Mr. Sean Hill as Chief Executive Officer of de Bijenkorf, the Netherlands’ iconic department store with 7 locations nationwide, effective 1 July 2025. With a deep commitment to innovation and customer excellence, Mr. Hill will lead the legendary retailer - long regarded as a symbol of Amsterdam - into a new era, elevating the customer journey amidst the fast-evolving landscape of global luxury retail.

Mr. Hill is a seasoned executive with over 15 years of professional experience in the department store and international retail industry, particularly across the European market. He brings deep expertise in strategy, operations, financial management, and retail brand development, having played a key role in expanding Central Group’s luxury retail portfolio across major European cities.

Prior to his new appointment, Mr. Hill held several key leadership roles:

• 2011–2015: Served as Retail Expansion Manager at Rinascente, Italy, where he played a key role in elevating the department store’s brand and enhancing its overall performance.
• 2015–2020: Appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the KaDeWe Group, Germany, overseeing the transformation of three iconic department stores: KaDeWe in Berlin, Alsterhaus in Hamburg, and Oberpollinger in Munich - reviving their position as retail landmarks in Europe.
• 2020–2025: Held the position of Managing Director, Central Group Europe Investment Limited, based in London. He was responsible for the strategic direction and oversight of Central Group’s high-end department stores across 7 European countries. His scope of work included investments, network expansion, and managing prime commercial real estate.

A fourth-generation member of the Chirathivat family, Mr. Hill is the eldest grandson of Mr. Samrit Chirathivat, one of the co-founders who laid the foundation for Central Group’s retail legacy and international growth.

Mr. André Maeder, CEO of Selfridges Group: “We are very excited to welcome Sean as CEO of de Bijenkorf. Together with the leadership team, he will continue to develop our stores and platforms into iconic destinations where customers can enjoy an inspiring assortment and extraordinary experiences.”

Mr. Sean Hill: “I look forward to the promising future of de Bijenkorf with great enthusiasm and commitment. It is an honour to build on the strong foundation laid by the team and the customer-centric focus that defines the brand. The rich history and unique position of de Bijenkorf in the market are truly impressive, and I see many opportunities to further grow this exceptional company.”

With a history of over 155 years, de Bijenkorf is a beloved and historic Dutch department store brand, operating 7 branches across the Netherlands. It is part of the Selfridges Group, in which Central Group has been a shareholder since 2022. The Group continues to drive strategic expansion of its luxury department store portfolio in Europe - establishing de Bijenkorf as a must-visit destination for discerning shoppers and global tastemakers alike.

With a forward-looking vision, multinational experience, and a family legacy deeply rooted in retail, Mr. Sean Hill is poised to guide de Bijenkorf into a new era - where heritage meets modernity and customer experience remains at the heart of everything.