B ernd Freier is the German founder of s.Oliver, a major European fashion and lifestyle company. His entrepreneurial story began in 1969 when he opened a small 25-square-meter boutique in Würzburg, Germany, which he originally named 'Sir Oliver' after the hero of Charles Dickens' novel. He later dropped the 'Sir' to create the brand name that would become a household name.

Freier built his company from a single store into a massive retail empire with thousands of locations and a strong presence in department stores across Europe. s.Oliver became known for its broad range of affordable and stylish apparel for men, women, and children. He grew the company with a combination of organic expansion and strategic acquisitions. Despite the company's large scale, Freier kept it privately owned. He has transferred ownership to a family trust and stepped back from daily operations, but he remains the architect of one of Germany's most successful fashion brands.