Author and Ex CEO of Bertelsmann AG. Dr. Thomas Middelhoff was one of Germany’s most influential und important corporate managers. As CEO of Bertelsmann AG from 1998 to 2002, he established RTL Group, led the book division to global market leadership and intensified Bertelsmann’s internet activity. After working for Investcorp in 2003, he was appointed chairman of the supervisory board of Arcandor (previously KarstadtQuelle AG) and became CEO of the company after one year in 2005. Two years later he also became chairman of the supervisory board of Thomas Cook Group, in which Arcandor held a majority share. In 2009 Thomas Middelhoff was replaced as CEO of Arcandor and his successor filed for insolvency shortly afterwards. In several lawsuits Thomas Middelhoff defended himself against the accusation to have driven Arcandor into insolvency. District Court Essen sentenced him to three years imprisonment in 2014. Today Thomas Middelhoff is author and lecturer.