Kessler takes up new role at UPS

UPS has announced that it has named Markus Kessler as its country cluster manager for the UK, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Iceland.

He will be responsible for overseeing small package operations and driving business development and strategy in the region.

The area is home to some of UPS’s most advanced facilities, including a state-of-the-art healthcare facility in Dublin, the UK air hub at East Midlands Airport and what the express services giant describes as a “smart network” across the Nordics that supports exporting-oriented businesses.

Kessler enthused: “This part of Europe is home to an incredible team of UPSers, as well as dynamic businesses with huge export potential.

“I’m looking forward to helping businesses of all sizes take advantage of international opportunities through our service and technology.”

Kessler previously worked as UPS country manager for Austria and Switzerland, where he not only focused on the development and expansion of business but also worked to maintain UPS’s Good Distribution Practice (GDP) standards in healthcare operation and the launch of UPS Premier (which helps to bridge the gap between the current small parcel environment and highly specialised handling for healthcare shipments) in Switzerland.

He also oversaw the pioneering use of lockers as UPS Access Point locations in Austria.

Meanwhile, Ufku Akaltan has moved to the new role of president of West EMEAI, but continues to be responsible for business operations and accelerated growth in the UK, Ireland, the Nordics and India, with the addition of the West and South European country clusters.

Of Kessler’s appointment, he declared: “Markus brings diverse and extensive experience from a range of European markets, and I’m confident that he’ll put that experience to the use of our shipping customers across the vital and strategic markets for UPS.”