Dr Jobst Müller-Trimbusch has been dismissed from his role as co-CEO of RSG Group.

Müller-Trimbusch was appointed co-CEO in December 2022, along with Hagen Wingertszahn, following the untimely death of founder, Rainer Schaller. 

The independently-owned business was inherited by Schaller’s brother, Gerd Schaller, a renowned conductor who also came on board as a third CEO in January 2025, to look after human resources and brand strategy and actively reshape the future of the group.

It's understood that the Schaller family has decided to 'take greater control' of the business.

Müller-Trimbusch has confirmed industry rumours of his departure in a statement addressed to business partners and friends, saying: “Last week the heirs of Rainer Schaller’s business decided that I no longer fit the company or their plans for the future.

“This brings my almost seven-year journey with the RSG Group to an end and I am grateful for every single day.

“Grateful for the three years I was able to spend with Rainer, during which I learned a great deal, was challenged, and which shaped me profoundly. But equally grateful for the three years in which I was able to contribute to preserving and repositioning Rainer’s life’s work in the best possible way.

“You all showed me great appreciation during this time and it was a pleasure to walk this path with you.”

With his extensive experience in the market, Müller-Trimbusch will be hot property once any non-compete agreements have expired if he chooses to stay in the sector.

Previous to being appointed co-CEO,  he had been CFO for three years, after a career which included positions at Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Börse and Bertelsmann and CFO at ICF Bank and Contorion, now AG. When he and Wingertszahn, stepped up to run the company they did so with the utmost respect and reverence, acknowledging the responsibility to honour Schaller’s legacy and continue the success of the company. 

In an interview with HCM they spoke about focusing on the core fitness brands. Over the last few years the portfolio has been streamlined. When Schaller died the company had 22 brands, now it has: McFit and a concept for smaller areas McFit Klub; John Reed, Gold’s Gym, John & Jane’s, Heimat, Heimat Waris Dirie, as well as sports modelling agency, McFit Models and sports nutrition company, Qi2.

The major shifts have included selling the Spanish portfolio to Basic Fit, relaunching legacy brand, McFit, and announcing plans for franchising.

RSG Group has not issued a statement.