Hands-On Crisis Engagement

“Recognition, yes, blind following turned with the failures into aversion, into anger. The master was disenchanted, and it seemed nothing was left of his strengths. For a long time, he was admired because he remained cool in crisis situations and found solutions when others became nervous. René always had an idea, says a financial expert who has completed many transactions with him. Now, with the looming bankruptcies, Benko seemed increasingly erratic. Investor Roland Berger, who last spoke to him in mid-December 2023, realized that things had apparently gotten out of hand for Benko: "Mr. Benko said that he also didn’t have an overview at the moment, he was looking for the numbers and would get back to me. That's when I told him: If you don't have the numbers, who does? I then knew that I would not get a sound, honest answer from him anymore."”

“Benko almost exclusively took care of investors in all Signa divisions, as well as all major acquisitions or new projects. The appearance and content of the presentations had to get Benko's approval. Even some articles in the "Signa Times," the company's own public relations organ, were something the boss wanted to review – for which Chairman Berninghaus personally wrote texts. Clearly, the example of the top boss had set a precedent.”