Hermes, the leading consumer delivery company, has announced changes to its leadership team designed to support the next stage of the industry leading organisation’s growth and progression.
Carole Walker (previously Woodhead) has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Hermes Europe, Hamburg, with effect from 2nd November. She will be responsible for the leadership of all European logistics activities of the Otto Group, taking over from Donald Pilz.
Carole joined the Otto Group 30 years ago and became Operations Director of Hermes UK in 2001, Managing Director in 2004 and Chief Executive Officer in 2009. During this time she has overseen the business develop from an internal logistic arm of Freemans and Grattan to become the second largest delivery company in the UK.
Martijn de Lange will take over the role of CEO Hermes UK in line with the organisation’s previously announced succession plan. Martijn, who previously held the position of Operations Director at TNT, joined the business in 2014 as Operations Director, then COO before becoming Managing Director in March this year, with responsibility for all aspects of the day-to-day running of the company. Carole and Martijn will work together over the next few months to ensure a seamless transition for employees, retailers, customers and the Hermes Group.
Carole Walker, CEO Hermes Europe, said: “I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved in the UK and would like to thank my fantastic team. This new role is an amazing opportunity for me to use my experience, industry expertise and UK success to help support and develop Hermes’ businesses across Europe. I am excited about the possibilities and opportunities, not only for me personally, but for us as a Group. My passion for Hermes UK could not be more apparent and I intend to take that same passion across the Group.”
Martijn de Lange, CEO Hermes UK, said: “I am honoured to become CEO of such an amazing business as we continue our journey ‘to be the carrier of choice for every end consumer in the UK’. We are making the transition from an operational business to a more customer experience and technology driven organisation and this is an exciting time for us. I am really looking forward to taking this agenda forward, and of course focusing Hermes on our current priority, which is to ensure that we deliver a fantastic Peak for our retailers.”
