Axel Stürken

Brainstormer, Entrepreneur, Investor, Parent, World traveler

I am Managing Director and one of the owners of Leuchtturm Gruppe – a medium-sized, family-run business in the consumer goods industry which looks back on 100 years of company history. We invest in brands and develop them. Today, around 500 employees work for the group worldwide in nine different locations. At the beginning of my professional career we were a pure postage stamp album company. Over the years we created a mail order company, a successful notebook brand – Leuchtturm1917 - and launched a few other promising brands. I see myself as an entrepreneur who takes things in hand, makes decisions and takes risks here and there. Yet, it is important to act responsibly: towards the employees, the company, the shareholders and one's own family. In the time of the Covid-crisis, this is more important than ever.

I am passionate about communication and advertising, product development and branding. I am a visual person, but I believe in storytelling as well. Sometimes I see myself as a discoverer and collector of lifestyle products. I love to travel and to bring back new ideas. This is where personal and business interests come together. I am convinced of the value and the power of 1-1 relationships and networking. I maintain my friendships and believe in togetherness. Bringing people together for a project or a new idea is always an exciting process. Very often private and professional relationships can be combined this way.

branding, Business Strategy, Design, Lifestyle, Marketing, Product Development