July 9, 2026

Sean Hill Appointed As New CEO Of De Bijenkorf: A New Chapter For Central Group

Sean Hill
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Central Group has announced the appointment of Sean Hill as the new chief executive for the Dutch department store, De Bijenkorf. Hill, a member of the fourth generation of the Chirathivat family, will begin his new role effective immediately.

Sean Hill’s Background

A scion of the Chirathivat family, Hill is the eldest grandson of Central Group’s co-founder Samrit Chirathivat. He brings to his new role over 15 years of comprehensive retail experience. His previous positions span several countries and include roles such as retail expansion manager at Rinascente in Italy, and Chief Operating Officer of Germany’s KaDeWe Group. Most recently, Hill served as Managing Director of Central Group Europe, where he was responsible for overseeing investments, managing store development, and handling commercial real estate.

Upon his appointment, Hill expressed his gratitude and optimism, stating, “It is an honor to build on the foundation laid by the team and the customer-first approach that defines De Bijenkorf. I see many opportunities to develop the business further.”

Central Group’s Stake in Selfridges

De Bijenkorf is a part of the Selfridges Group, where Central Group has recently become a shareholder. The corporation’s European operations include Selfridges in the UK, Brown Thomas and Arnotts in Ireland, KaDeWe, Oberpollinger, and Alsterhaus in Germany, Illum in Denmark, Globus in Switzerland, and of course, De Bijenkorf in the Netherlands.

Questions & Answers

Who is the new chief executive of De Bijenkorf?
Sean Hill, a fourth-generation member of the Chirathivat family, has been appointed as the new chief executive of De Bijenkorf.

What is Sean Hill’s previous experience in the retail sector?
Hill brings with him over 15 years of experience in the retail sector. His previous roles include retail expansion manager at Rinascente in Italy, COO of Germany’s KaDeWe Group, and MD of Central Group Europe.

Which other retail stores are part of the Selfridges Group?
Apart from De Bijenkorf in the Netherlands, the Selfridges Group includes Selfridges in the UK, Brown Thomas and Arnotts in Ireland, KaDeWe, Oberpollinger, and Alsterhaus in Germany, Illum in Denmark, and Globus in Switzerland.

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