‘There is no such thing as a typical working day for me’

The director of the Fürst Gruppe, Christine Bruchmann, in our alumni interview.

Christine Bruchmann, born in Nuremberg in 1959, studied business administration at FAU from 1979 to 1986, graduating with the title ‘Diplom Kauffrau’. At the same time, she completed vocational training in the family business Fürst GmbH & Co. KG (Fürst Gruppe) to gain the additional qualification ‘Industriekauffrau’. After qualifying, she worked for several companies including Gillette Deutschland GmbH and Randstad Deutschland GmbH, before returning to Franconia in 2015 and becoming managing director of the family business. In our interview, Christine Bruchmann reminisces about her time at FAU and shares the values close to her heart as a businesswoman.

I have such good memories of my alma mater, FAU, I always like to keep up with the latest developments.

Ms. Bruchmann, you studied business administration at FAU. Why did you decide to study at FAU?

At that time, FAU already had a very good reputation for business administration. Studying at FAU also meant that I was able to complete vocational training in Nuremberg alongside my studies.

What did you most appreciate about studying at FAU?

Interacting and sharing ideas with other students, the excellent pubs and in my main subject, marketing, the seminar in marketing with Prof. Ludwig Berekoven and the company Beiersdorf.

Don’t focus solely on studying, take time to enjoy life and make friends and new contacts. You will often benefit more from this in later life than a good grade.

You are a member of the FAU Advisory Board and on the board of the University Association. What does this commitment to FAU mean to you?

I have such good memories of my alma mater, FAU, I always like to keep up with the latest developments. I also provide financial backing to some projects that interest me.

What advice would you give to today’s students?

Your time at university is so valuable, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. Don’t focus solely on studying, take time to enjoy life and make friends and new contacts. You will often benefit more from this in later life than a good grade. Interacting with others helps you mature. I would also recommend getting involved outside the confines of the university.

You have been managing director of the Fürst Gruppe since 2005. What does a typical working day look like?

I don’t have such a thing as a typical working day. As the owner of the Fürst Gruppe with approx. 4,000 employees from 80 nations in four divisions – Cleaning, Security, Human Resources and Outsourcing – every day is different. My focus is on encouraging the personal development of the managers in our company with a value-oriented people-focused leadership culture.

You completed your vocational training at Fürst Gruppe, before working for companies such as Gillette Deutschland GmbH in Berlin and Cologne. What motivated you to return to Franconia?

I began as a sales trainee at Gillette Deutschland GmbH in 1986. I spent seven years working at different locations and only seeing my husband, whom I met at FAU, at the weekend. When our son Jan was born in 1993, we moved to Berlin together, where I returned to my full-time position as a key account director just eight weeks after giving birth. I then joined Perstop Flooring GmbH and moved to Weinheim for three years, before working for six years for Randstad Deutschland in Wiesbaden and Cologne. When my father asked me in 2004 if I would consider taking over his company in Nuremberg, I took up the offer and have been settled and happy here in Franconia ever since.

You are not only a businesswoman, you also do a lot of voluntary work. What is your motivation for volunteering?

First of all, I’m interested in the topics of my voluntary work. As well as being involved in the board of the University Association and the Advisory Board of FAU, I am also a commercial judge, a member of the advisory board of Marketing Club Nürnberg, a member of the Rotary Club Nürnberg/Neumarkt and Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Nuremberg. That apart, I would also like to give something back to society, both in terms of time and money. I am very grateful that I am where I am today, that I have had so many opportunities in my life and that I know people who care for me and are always there to support me.

Thank you for taking part in the interview, Ms. Bruchmann

Interview: Christina Dworak (September 2021)

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