Staff Appointments and Departures in the Logistics, Shipping and Freight Forwarding Sectors

WORLDWIDE – Appointments and departures in shipping and freight forwarding for the New Year start with several management changes at logistics group GAC as Peter Österman moves to his native Sweden to take on the new role of Commercial Manager – Shipping for Denmark, Finland and Sweden combined. He is replaced as Managing Director of GAC Global Hub Services by Ronald Lichtenecker who relocates to Dubai for his new role. Lichtenecker was previously Managing Director of GAC Singapore and is now succeeded by Henrik Althen having served as Managing Director of GAC Kuwait. Althen is replaced by Filip Björklund, previously Group Business Controller.

WORLDWIDE – Vice President of Marketing and Member of the Board of Directors at South Korea's Seoul-Incheon International Airport, Kwang-Soo Lee has become the 15^th member of The International Air Cargo Association’s (TIACA) Board of Directors.

FRANCE – Philippe de Lagune has been appointed Chief Operating Officer – Safety and Ethics at Groupe Eurotunnel, effective since January 1. He previously held the post of French Safety Coordinator for the London 2012 Olympic Games where he was responsible for the safety of the Channel Tunnel site.

NORWAY – Odfjell has appointed Øistein Jensen as Chief of Staff, effective February 29.

UK – The Port of London Authority (PLA) has appointed Bob Baker as Chief Harbour Master, succeeding David Phillips, who is retiring from the PLA in April, after nine years of service. Baker will join the PLA from Forth Ports on May 1, when he will also have a seat on the PLA Board.

UK – Andrew Crawley, former British Airways Chief Commercial Officer, has become the new Chief Executive of IAG Cargo. He reports to IAG Chief Executive Willie Walsh and has become a member of the Group’s management committee. Andrew replaces Steve Gunning who has left the company IAG to become British Airways’ Chief Financial Officer. Adam Daniels has become British Airways’ acting Chief Commercial Officer.

Lynne Embleton, British Airways director of strategy and managing director Gatwick, will replace Andrew Crawley on the British Airways board.

UK – Whistl has appointed Christine Key to the role of Director of Packets and Parcels.

UK – ZAMBIA – Louise Gunby, Operations Manager for the Leeds distribution centre at Yusen Logistics, has begun a three month secondment to Transaid’s Professional Driver Training project in Zambia. Gunby will be supporting the Industrial Training Centre (ITC) in its aim to reduce the traffic fatalities in sub-Saharan Africa through professional HGV, PSV, and forklift truck training.

In addition to the day-to-day tasks, Gunby will have to contend with Zambia’s power outages – sometimes as little as 5-6 hours of electricity per day – and none of the automated processes that are standard in the UK.

UK – CANADA – DP London Gateway has appointed James Leeson to the role of Head of Port Commercial following the announcement that Tabare Dominguez is to become Commercial Director at DP World Vancouver. Leeson was most recently Head of Commercial for Associated British Ports Humber Region, cover the ports of Immingham, Hull, Grimsby, and Goole. He will now report to Cameron Thorpe, Port General Manager.

CANADA – Kinaxis has named Jack Noppé as its new Chief Technology Officer. He joins the executive team led by recently appointed CEO John Sicard, who officially stepped into the role at the beginning of the year.

US – UPS has announced Norman Brothers Jr., to the role of Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, effective since January 1. He joins the UPS Management Committee, the company’s senior-most leadership group. Brothers reports directly to UPS Chief Executive Officer David Abney.

Also as of January 1, Teri McClure, previously Chief Legal Officer and Senior Vice President, Human Resources will devote her time fully to the development of the company’s human capital strategy in the role of Chief Human Resources Officer and Senior Vice President, Global Human Resources and Labor.

US – Olya Lebedyeva has been appointed Vice President, Business Development at Seko Logistics. Based in Chicago, she will also work closely with Seko’s current Strategic Partners to strengthen communications, sales and market development. Lebedyeva joins the company after five years working in General Manager roles for Air Menzies International.

US – Crowley Maritime has announced the promotion of Kerri McClellan to Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for the Corporation. Based in Jacksonville, Florida, McClellan reports to Senior Vice President and General Counsel Mike Roberts.

US – Radiant Logistics has announced the appointment of Joe Bento as Senior Vice President of Operations, reporting to Chief Operating Officer, Dan Stegemoller.

US – JB Hunt Transport Services has announced the retirement of Kay Lewis, Chief Information Officer and Executive Vice President of Technology and Engineering. Stuart Scott has been named to take over the role.

US – Allison Transmission Holdings has promoted Chief Financial Officer David Graziosi, to the additional role of President, effective immediately.

UK – Along with the New Year’s new appointments, so came the 2016 Honours List which has recognised some well deserving members of the maritime industry. From the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), Richard Spindler, a volunteer of 50 years standing at Weston-super-Mare lifeboat station; Ray Chapman, Coxswain at Skegness lifeboat station; Lady Rose Crossman, President of Berwick-upon-Tweed Fundraising Guild; and Janet Kelly, former Station Manager at Tower lifeboat station, have been awarded MBEs (Member of the Order of the British Empire).

Dr Reginald Carr, Blyth Lifeboat Medical Advisor has also been awarded an MBE. David Whiteley, Coxswain at Hoylake lifeboat station, has been awarded a BEM (British Empire Medal). All have been recognised for their contribution to saving lives at sea.

Richard Dale from the Maritime Volunteer Service has been awarded an MBE for service to the maritime industry. He served as Company and National Secretary for a period of 6 years to end of 2014. He also served as a trustee of the charity from 2005 – 2014 and is currently the charity’s Honorary President.

Chief Executive of The Nautical Institute, Philip Wake, has been awarded an OBE (Officers of the Order of the British Empire) for services to the maritime industry. Chief Coastguard, Keith Oliver was also awarded an OBE for services to maritime safety.