Cargo iQ has appointed Henk Venema, senior vice president and global head of network carrier management at DHL Global Forwarding, as the new chairman of its membership board.

Venema succeeds Max Sauberschwarz, vice president and global head of carrier and gateway air logistics at Kuehne + Nagel, who has been chairman of the IATA interest group since 2013.

“I am excited to be taking the role of chairman as the organization continues to innovate and develop, thanks to initiatives such as the new Smart Data Portal,” said Venema. “Cargo iQ is a key initiative in the industry, where not only airlines, but also freight forwarders, handlers, and technology providers come together to define the joint and unique quality standards we want to set for the industry going forward. The new projects we are working on, built upon the excellent work the organisation has successfully delivered so far, will further boost Cargo iQ’s quality standards. The new portal enables members to not only see data and trends, but also to act internally to improve levels of quality and fix specific pain points – an important diagnostic tool that will help to translate key performance indicators into material actions.”

Kester Meijer, director of operational integrity, compliance and safety at Air France KLM Martinair Cargo, will continue to be vice chairman of Cargo iQ.

“It is an enormous accomplishment that Cargo iQ can count so many great industry leaders amongst its board members,” said Ariaen Zimmerman, executive director of Cargo iQ. “We owe a whole lot of gratitude to Max Sauberschwarz, who has done so much to get, and keep, us on the right track. His leadership will be missed, but Max will remain on our board and I am confident that, in Henk Venema, we have found another great leader to help our board and membership continue to improve the performance of the air cargo industry.”