Björn Bauer Appointed CFO of Merged BMG-Concord Music Company

Bertelsmann veteran Björn Bauer named CFO of combined BMG-Concord music company

May 12, 2026 By Rafaela Fornitani

BMG and Concord have named Björn Bauer as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the music company being created by their merger.

The appointment, announced on Tuesday (May 12), will take effect upon  the closing of  the BMG-Concord merger , which is expected in the second half of 2026 .

Bauer will be based in Nashville , where the combined company will have its global headquarters, and will report to designated CEO Bob Valentine .

Until the closing of the merger, BMG ’s current CFO, Mathis Wolter , will continue to oversee the finance function at the firm, before subsequently assuming new responsibilities within Bertelsmann .

Concord’s current CFO, Kent Hoskins , will continue to serve in his role until the merger closes; BMG says it is then “anticipated” that he will take on another senior leadership position within the combined company.

Bauer joins from RTL Group , the European broadcaster majority-owned by BMG’s parent company Bertelsmann , where he has served as Chief Financial Officer since 2019.

Prior to joining RTL Group, Bauer held senior leadership roles within Bertelsmann from 2007, including as 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, according to BMG, he “supported a phase of significant growth both organically and through M&A”.

As previously reported by MBW , the combined BMG/Concord business will be owned approximately 67% by Bertelsmann , and 33% by affiliates of Great Mountain Partners , a long-time investor in Concord. It will carry the BMG brand.

BMG and Concord confirmed in a press release that Bauer will oversee the combined company’s finance functions and will “assume responsibility for the M&A team”.

“Björn brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of delivering strong results through operational excellence and disciplined financial management,” said Thomas Coesfeld , currently CEO of BMG and designated Chairman of the combined company.

“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,” Coesfeld added.

> “Björn brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of delivering strong results through operational excellence and disciplined financial management.” Thomas Coesfeld , BMG

Coesfeld also paid tribute to outgoing CFO Mathis Wolter , saying: “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.”

At RTL Group , Bauer currently serves as an Executive Director and a member of the Executive Committee, alongside his role as Chief Financial Officer.

According to BMG and Concord, Bauer 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”.

> “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.” Björn Bauer, rtl group

He has been involved in major transactions at RTL Group since 2019, the companies said, citing the recently approved acquisition of Sky Deutschland and the €1.1 billion sale of RTL Nederland to DPG Media , which closed last year.

Said Bauer : “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 catalogs and talent.”

“I am excited to join the combined company upon closing of the transaction, a pivotal moment in its growth journey,” Bauer added.

> “His [bauer] deep financial expertise will be invaluable as the company continues to focus on sustainable growth and long-term value creation after the transaction closes.” Bob Valentine, concord

Bob Valentine , currently CEO of Concord and 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.”

The merger will create a business with a projected pro forma EBITDA base of more than $730 million in 2026, with a mid-term ambition to reach $1.2 billion in EBITDA through organic growth, M&A, and synergies, the two companies have said.

Coesfeld is also set to become Chairman and CEO of Bertelsmann from January 1, 2027 – a dual role with his Chairmanship of the combined music company.

Bauer started his career in management consulting and holds a degree in business administration from the European Business School in Germany. Music Business Worldwide

_Originally reported by [Music Business Worldwide](https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/bertelsmann-veteran-bjorn-bauer-named-designated-cfo-of-combined-bmg-concord-music-company/)._