Drewes set to become Hellmann CEO
01 / 08 / 2023
Jens Drewes. Photo: Hellmann Worldwide Logistics
Hellmann Worldwide Logistics has appointed Jens Drewes as chief executive, effective August 2024.
He will succeed Reiner Heiken, who has decided to retire next year. The chief executive role encompasses five areas: HR, sales, marketing, corporate development and corporate communications.
Drewes’ logistics career spans over 30 years, primarily in the Asia-Pacific region and lately in Europe.
Since the late 1990s, Jens Drewes has worked for Kuehne + Nagel, where he was most recently responsible for the European business.
“We are convinced that we have found the right successor to Reiner Heiken with the appointment of Jens Drewes as CEO. With his many years of international logistics experience and his strong ability to lead teams and inspire customers,” said Thomas Lieb, chairman of the Supervisory Board, speaking on behalf of the board and shareholders Jost and Klaus Hellmann.
Heiken has been chief executive of the global logistics service provider since the end of 2018 and has since successfully developed and realigned the company, said Hellmann.
As a result, Hellmann has been able to significantly expand its market position in recent years – both through organic growth and acquisitions. In 2022, it recorded revenues of €5bn.
“Mr. Heiken has succeeded in repositioning the company in recent years and setting it up strongly for the future,” said Lieb.
From January 1 2024, Stefan Borggreve will also join the company as chief digital officer (CDO), overseeing the existing functions IT and digital, as well as innovation and sustainability.
In May, Hellmann appointed Natasha Solano-Vesela to the newly created role of global airfreight director perishables.
Earlier in the year, the company appointed Timo Schamber in the newly created position of global airfreight director CEP (Courier, Express and Parcel Services).
