Staff News from Around the Transport and Logistics Industries Worldwide

FRANCE – Deborah Merrens has been appointed Chief Commercial Officer of Eurotunnel Le Shuttle effective since January 28, replacing Jo Willacy who stepped down on October 31, 2019. Merrens will report directly to François Gauthey, Deputy Chief Executive of the Group and will use her experience in the tourism and transport sectors to continue the development of the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle services with the passenger and freight operational teams.

SPAIN – Julian Tapias, International Director of Noatum Maritime, has announced that he will retire after more than two decades with the company.

UK – Professor Graham Baldwin has been appointed Chair of the new Maritime Skills Commission, which has been set up in the hopes of better understanding the existing and future skills needed for the industry both on land and at sea.

Starting work in the coming months, the commission will bring together leading maritime experts to report on the changing needs of the industry, make recommendations and ensure its workforce has the talent it needs for today, the next 30 years and beyond.

Professor Baldwin is the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Central Lancashire and is the former Vice-Chancellor of Solent University which is home to the Warsash School of Maritime Science and Engineering.

UK – Maritime Transport has announced the promotion of John Bailey to the position of Managing Director – Intermodal and Terminals, having risen through the ranks since joining the company in 2001.

Maritime Transport has also appointed James Tierney as its Rail Development Manager. Tierney has worked in the logistics industry for over twenty years, with key roles at GB Railfreight, Colas Rail, DHL, and Network Rail.

UK – Former Director at Kuehne + Nagel, Simon Hobbs, has been named as the new Group Chief executive at Kinaxia Logistics.

UK – The Rail Freight Group (RFG) has announced the appointment of Joe O’Donnell as its new Head of Policy.

IRELAND – EFL International has accommodated Byrne Air Freight staff after the owner decided to call it a day. Ex-Aer Lingus employee Eddie Byrne, who founded Byrne Air Freight in the early 1980s, retired in December 2019.

June Shaw took up her employment with EFL at the start of January and Darren Greene will follow shortly.

GERMANY – ASIA – From March 1, Sven Raudszus will be taking over the position of Regional CEO Asia Pacific (APAC) at Hellmann Worldwide Logistics. He will be responsible for the operative and strategic business within the Asia Pacific region, including South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

He succeeds Mark Hellmann, who has played a key role in the development of the Asia Pacific region over the past 30 years. Raudszus has been working in the logistics industry for 25 years, and has held various management positions in the Asian region; since 2016 as CEO Asia Pacific for Panalpina.

In his new role as Regional CEO Asia Pacific at Hellmann, Raudszus will report directly to Reiner Heiken, CEO Hellmann Worldwide Logistics.

US – SEKO Logistics has promoted Brian Bourke to the new post of Chief Growth Officer. In his new role, based at SEKO’s corporate headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, Bourke will work closely with Terry Unrein, Chief Commercial Officer, David Emerson, VP Sales & Marketing EMEA, and SEKO’s global sales teams.

US – Matson has announced the promotion of three executives to the company's senior leadership team, effective immediately. Branton Dreyfus, Vice President, Alaska, has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Alaska. Dreyfus will continue to report directly to Matt Cox, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Capt. John Sullivan, Vice President, Vessel Operations and Engineering, has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Vessel Operations and Engineering with increased responsibility for overseeing the evolution and management of Matson's fleet, vessel operations and engineering, and offshore labour relations as well as the company's Safety, Quality, Environment and Security activities.

Richard Kinney, Vice President, West Coast Terminals and Purchasing, has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Network Operations with additional responsibility for overseeing Matson's deployment of terminal, fleet and equipment assets as well as finance and administration for the company's Operations Division.

Both Sullivan and Kinney will continue to report directly to Ron Forest, President of Matson.

Photo: Deborah Merrens, new CCO at Eurotunnel Le Shuttle.