Anders Holch Povlsen
Chief executive and owner of Bestseller
Anders Holch Povlsen is the Danish chief executive and owner of Bestseller, the family founded fashion group behind Jack & Jones, Vero Moda, Only and Name It. Through Bestseller and his holding company Heartland he has also become one of the most significant investors in European online fashion, with large stakes in Zalando and ASOS.
| Role | Chief executive and owner, Bestseller |
|---|---|
| Born | 1972 |
| Nationality | Danish |
| Brands | Jack & Jones, Vero Moda, Only, Name It |
| Investments | Zalando, ASOS, via Bestseller and Heartland |
| Bestseller footprint | Branded stores in 47 countries |
Who is Anders Holch Povlsen?
Anders Holch Povlsen, born in November 1972, leads Bestseller, the privately owned Danish fashion company whose first store was opened by his parents in Ringkøbing, Denmark, in 1975. He became its sole owner at the age of 28 and serves as chief executive. Bestseller today describes itself as a company with more than 20 fashion brands for all ages, genders and occasions, with branded stores in 47 countries.
Career
Povlsen took over a business that had grown from that first store into an international fashion company. Under his ownership Bestseller has operated across Europe, Asia, North America, South America, Oceania and the Middle East.
- Bestseller: sole owner from around 2000 and chief executive
- Brands: Jack & Jones, Vero Moda, Only, Name It and others
- Heartland A/S: Aarhus based holding company for his wider investments
- ASOS: largest shareholder with a stake of about 27% in 2013
- Zalando: acquired about 10% in 2013 and later became one of its largest shareholders
Influence on the fashion business
Povlsen's influence reaches well beyond his own brands. His early investments in ASOS and Zalando made him one of the most important shareholders in Europe's two largest online fashion platforms, at a time when both were scaling rapidly. These stakes give Bestseller unusual insight into the economics of digital marketplaces, which are also key sales channels for its own brands.
Bestseller has also become a visible voice on supply chain transparency. The company publishes factory lists, supply chain requirements and information on certified and branded materials, and has committed funding to nature restoration projects such as the Regenerative Fund for Nature.
Anders Holch Povlsen and technology
His investment approach has repeatedly favoured digital commerce. Beyond fashion platforms, his holdings have included the online fashion retailer Stylepit, the Danish online grocer Nemlig.com and the payments company Klarna, alongside stakes in non fashion businesses.
Why it matters
Povlsen sits at the intersection of three forces shaping mass market fashion: privately owned multi brand groups, wholesale partnerships with large platforms and investor capital in online retail. Few individuals combine ownership of a major fashion supplier with such significant stakes in the marketplaces that sell it, which makes his strategic choices relevant to brands, retailers and platforms across Europe.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Anders Holch Povlsen?
Anders Holch Povlsen is the Danish owner and chief executive of Bestseller, the fashion group behind Jack & Jones, Vero Moda and Only. He is also a major investor in Zalando and ASOS.
Does Anders Holch Povlsen own shares in Zalando and ASOS?
Yes. He acquired about 10% of Zalando in 2013 and later became one of its largest shareholders, and he was the largest shareholder in ASOS with around 27% in 2013.