This Week's Appointments Start With Changes at the Top of Giant Container Shipping Line

UK – The world's second largest container freight carrier, the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has announced two appointments to its UK Board of Directors, effective immediately. Jonathan Burke has been named UK Operations Director, to succeed Kelvin Wilden, who has announced his decision to retire after 14 years at the company. Michael Collins has been named to the newly created role of Commercial Director. 

Burke has worked for many leading international transport companies in his 20-year career. He previously worked for MSC between 2008 and 2014, where he remodelled the company's road haulage operation.

Collins joined MSC in 2000 and has managed various export trades including the US and Asia. In his most recent role as Export Commercial General Manager, Collins has taken increasing responsibility for the wider running of the company.   

UK – Bernadette Kelly has been appointed as the new Permanent Secretary at the Department for Transport, following Philip Rutnam's recent move to the Home Office.

UK – SWEDEN – TGW Logistics has announced the appointment of two Managing Directors for its Northern Europe Operations. David Hibbett joins the group's UK office from SSI Schaefer and Thomas Karlsson will head up the Scandinavia operations, based in Sweden. Both Hibbett and Karlsson will report directly to Andy Smith, CEO for TGW Northern Europe.

US – Commissioner Mario Cordero has announced that he will leave the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) from May 12, ahead of his appointment as Executive Director of the Port of Long Beach, California, effective May 15. He will succeed Duane Kenagy, who has served as Interim Executive Director since late 2016. Cordero previously served as President and as a long-time member of the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners.

Cordero, via Presidential appointment, has served on the Federal Maritime Commission since 2011, with a term set to expire in June 2019. He served as Chairman from April 2013 until January 2017, and as a Long Beach Harbor Commissioner from 2003 to 2011.

US – Seko Logistics has named John Eastland as President of its Aerospace and Aviation Industry Vertical, based in Washington DC. Eastland has held several senior management positions throughout his career in the freight industry, most recently serving as Vice President, Domestic Product at Hellmann Worldwide Logistics.

US – RoadOne IntermodaLogistics has announced new members to its management team. Sarah Bond takes on the role of Area Sales Director for the Southeast Region, as Chuck Henderson takes on the same position overseeing the West Region. Michael Coleman joins RoadOne as Vice President Operations, Midwest Region.

US – Halo Maritime Defense Systems has promoted former Chief Operating Officer Eric Johnson, to the position of Chief Executive Officer, as David Tolly joins the company as Chief Financial Officer.

US – Aviation support firm AAR has announced changes to its senior team. John Holmes has been elected President and COO, effective June 1. Reporting directly to David Storch, Chairman and CEO, Holmes will also become a member of the Board of Directors, effective July 11. General Duncan McNabb, US Air Force (ret.) has also been elected to the company’s Board of Directors.

Long-time CFO and Vice Chairman Timothy Romensko has announced his decision to retire at the end of the year, after 36 years of service.

US – Redwood Logistics has announced the appointment of James Trent as Vice President of Strategic Sales, and the promotion of Bill Olson to Senior Director, Business Development Strategic Sales.

US – Navistar has announced Jeffrey Dokho to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Dokho replaces Dennis Williams, who is retiring from the Board after serving for nearly 11 years as Director.

CANADA – Françoise Bertrand has been named as Chair of the board of directors of VIA Rail Canada, for a period of five years.

 CHINA – HONG KONG – Swire Pacific has announced several changes to the senior management team across its portfolio of companies. Ivan Chu, Chief Executive of Cathay Pacific, will be appointed Chairman of John Swire & Sons (China), effective May 1. He will step down as Chief Executive of Cathay Pacific and Chairman of Hong Kong Dragon Airlines (Cathay Dragon) but will remain on the boards of Cathay Pacific as a Non-executive Director and Swire Pacific.

Rupert Hogg, COO of Cathay Pacific, will be promoted to replace Chu as CEO of Cathay Pacific, from May 1. Hogg will become the Chairman of Cathay Dragon and will remain the chairman of the executive committee of Cathay Dragon.

Paul Loo, Director Corporate Development & IT of Cathay Pacific, will be appointed the Chief Customer and Commercial Officer of Cathay Pacific, from June 1, and reporting to Hogg.

Greg Hughes, Group Director Components & Engine Services of Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company (HAECO), will be appointed the Chief Operations and Service Delivery Officer of Cathay Pacific, effective June 1. He will report directly to Hogg.

Algernon Yau, Chief Executive Officer of Cathay Dragon, will be appointed Director Service Delivery of Cathay Pacific, effective June 1, reporting to Hughes, and will remain the CEO of Cathay Dragon.

Michelle Low, Finance Director of Swire Properties, will be appointed the Finance Director of Swire Pacific, from October 1. She will replace Martin Cubbon, who will be retiring from the Swire group at the end of September. Fanny Lung, currently Group Director Finance of HAECO, will be appointed the Finance Director of Swire Properties, replacing Low, effective the same date.

Rebecca Sharpe, Finance Director of The China Navigation Company, will become the Group Director Finance of HAECO, replacing Fanny Lung from October 1.

Chris Gibbs, Engineering Director of Cathay Pacific, will be appointed Group Director Components & Engine Services of HAECO, replacing Greg Hughes with effect from June 1.

Photo: The MSC Board of Directors. Left to Right: Jonathan Burke - Operations Director, Dan Everitt – Managing Director, Michael Collins – Commercial Director, Anne Gordon – Finance Director.