Thomas Bene krijgt eigen designstudio
9 juni 2011, 14:55
As of 1 August 2011, Thomas Bene, Member of the Management Board (responsible for Marketing and Portfolio) of the Bene Group, is striking out in a new direction: the creative mind behind the publicly listed office furniture manufacturer is founding his own brand and design studio, which will shape the cultural profile of companies and provide a platform for design, interior design and architecture.
At the Bene AG Annual General Meeting, which took place on 9 June 2011 in Waidhofen, Thomas Bene gave up his position as head of Marketing & Portfolio on the Board of Management. In this capacity, he worked with his team on product innovations and to ensure that the company and the Bene brand have the best possible image.
After a total of seventeen years, the son of the entrepreneurial Bene family will lead a newly founded agency as of 1 August 2011. A brand and design studio that enables cross-industry access to what Thomas Bene stands for: bringing together stimuli from broadly different creative areas to shape the appearance of corporate culture.
The spectrum will range from classic agency services, such as consultancy, marketing and brand development, to establishing a platform for design, interior design and architecture. Thomas Bene is relying above all on his talent at detecting upcoming trends early on and finding creative partners who can develop and implement forward-looking ideas. An impressive example of this process is PARCS, a furniture programme that goes beyond the desk to promote communication in a multifunctional way. Thomas Bene found the designers for the project, PearsonLloyd, in London in 2008.
“Through intensive contacts and my broad network in such sectors as interiors, fashion, art, music and entertainment, I have always personally been dedicated to projects that go beyond the horizons of the office furniture industry. That’s why I’ve been pursuing the desire to enhance my professional life with new stimuli from other creative industries. The time for these plans has come: Bene is picking up steam again after two turbulent years, and the Marketing & Portfolio department is on solid footing. In recent years, I have built up a team that works independently and self-sufficiently, offering me an excellent opportunity to pursue new challenges."
"The final decision for this step certainly did not come easy – even if I am only leaving Bene in my capacity as a member of the Management Board, and I will continue to be available to my colleagues and to my team with regards to content,” Thomas Bene said of his new directions.