Deutsche Post DHL Group said its transition at the top has began with Tobias Meyer, P&P Germany CEO, to become Group CEO in May 2023.

In a statement, it said Frank Appel, the Group's current chief, will continue to serve as DPDHL Group CEO until the Annual General Meeting in 2023, thereafter, to be succeeded by Meyer. 

 Frank Appel (left) and Tobias Meyer (right)

"Deutsche Post DHL Group has initiated the leadership transition at the top of the company. The Supervisory Board of Deutsche Post AG has extended Frank Appel's contract as DPDHL Group CEO until May 4, 2023. His previous contract runs until October 31, 2022," the statement said.

It noted that Meyer joined the company in 2013 and has held a wide variety of positions including Head of Corporate Development, Chief Operations Officer at DHL Global Forwarding, and Head of Operations and IT at Post & Parcel Germany.

He has also been CEO of Post & Parcel Germany and a member of the DPDHL Management Board since March 2019.

"In Tobias Meyer we have a recognized expert of the company taking over as DPDHL Group CEO. He is the ideal choice to continue the very successful path the company has charted. With Strategy 2025, the Management Board successfully executes along the major megatrends of Digitalization, Sustainability, Globalization, and e-commerce", says Dr. Nikolaus von Bomhard, chairman of the Supervisory Board of Deutsche Post AG.

"We thank Frank Appel for his support to assure this seamless transition. Frank Appel's performance during his more than 13 years at the top of DPDHL Group has been outstanding. He made the company into a leading global logistics powerhouse that connects people and markets, thereby enabling global trade. Under Appel's leadership, the company has posted one record after the next. Deutsche Post DHL Group has much to thank him for," von Bomhard added.

For his part, Appel said "after careful consideration, I have decided not to remain for another full term in office."

"I do this totally convinced that Deutsche Post DHL Group is led by an exceptional management team and supported by highly engaged employees. In Tobias Meyer, we have a top class manager and great colleague to follow as the next DPDHL Group CEO. Under his leadership, Post & Parcel Germany successfully managed the turnaround. I couldn't have hoped for a better successor," Appel added.

As part of the transition, Meyer will take over the Corporate Function Global Business Services from Frank Appel in July 2022, and hand over his role as CEO Post & Parcel Germany to Nikola Hagleitner, currently Chief Sales Officer at Post & Parcel Germany.

Meanwhile, the Supervisory Board has also extended the contract with Oscar de Bok, CEO DHL Supply Chain, for another five years to September 30, 2027.