BMG and Concord Appoint Björn Bauer as CFO of Newly Merged Music Company

BMG and Concord have selected Björn Bauer to serve as Chief Financial Officer of the combined company being formed through the two firms’ upcoming merger.

The appointment is expected to officially take effect once the BMG-Concord merger closes in the second half of 2026. Bauer will be based in Nashville, which will serve as the global headquarters for the merged business, and he will report directly to designated CEO Bob Valentine.

Bauer joins the future company from RTL Group, where he has worked as Chief Financial Officer since 2019. RTL Group is majority-owned by Bertelsmann, the parent company behind BMG.

Before his tenure at RTL, Bauer spent years in senior leadership roles across Bertelsmann, including positions focused on corporate strategy and financial oversight. He also previously served as CFO of Relias, Bertelsmann’s US-based online learning company, helping guide a period of expansion through acquisitions and internal growth initiatives.

Under the merger agreement, the newly combined music company will continue operating under the BMG brand. Ownership is expected to be split primarily between Bertelsmann and affiliates of Great Mountain Partners, a long-time Concord investor.

The companies stated that Bauer will oversee all financial operations while also taking responsibility for mergers and acquisitions strategy, a significant area of focus as the company pursues future growth opportunities across publishing, recorded music, catalogs and artist services.

Current BMG CEO Thomas Coesfeld, who is set to become Chairman of the merged company, praised Bauer’s experience in financial management and operational strategy, describing him as a strong fit for the company’s next stage of expansion.

Meanwhile, Valentine emphasized Bauer’s ability to help guide sustainable long-term growth following the merger’s completion.

The merger between BMG and Concord is expected to create one of the largest independent music companies in the industry, with projected EBITDA exceeding $730 million in 2026 and ambitions for substantial future expansion through acquisitions and global investment.