The supervisory board of Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG has extended its contract with Angela Titzrath, chairwoman of HHLA’s executive board.

According to HHLA, Titzrath’s contract was due to expire on September 30, 2019, but it has now been renewed for another five years until October 1, 2024.

“Over the past two years HHLA has performed very successfully under the leadership of Ms Titzrath,” said Rüdiger Grube, chairman of the supervisory board at HHLA. “Enterprise value increased significantly, despite the challenging environment. Thanks to Ms Titzrath, HHLA has been able to maintain and build on its strong competitive position in its core business segments, container handling and intermodal. In addition, she has opened up the company for digitization, moved into new business areas and initiated cultural change within the company.”

Additionally, the supervisory board has appointed Torben Seebold to the executive board, effective from April 1, 2019. Seebold was previously national chairman of the maritime economy group of the ver.di trade union, and succeeds Heinz Brandt, labour director, who will retire at the end of March 2019.

“After an in-depth selection process, the supervisory board has decided to appoint Mr Seebold as HHLA’s new chief human resources officer,” said Grube. “We wish him success in this position of great responsibility.”

Seebold studied law at Cologne University and joined the trade union ver.di in Cologne in 2010. He was made head of ver.di’s shipping group in March 2013 and became leader of the new maritime economy group in 2014.

“Torben Seebold, a manager at the trade union ver.di who has been closely linked to the maritime economy for many years, is assuming responsibility at HHLA,” said Berthold Bose, vice-chairman of the supervisory board. “He has gained extensive experience of personnel matters in his previous role as national chairman of the maritime economy group. He is an experienced negotiator, who has led negotiations on important labour agreements with the Association of German Seaport Operators. Thanks to his work as maritime coordinator for ITF Germany, he also has an excellent international network. We are convinced that Mr Seebold will successfully manage the changes in the working environment at HHLA brought about by the digital revolution.”