Hermes Europe CEO resigns after differing views on strategic direction 02 November 2017

Carole Walker, one of the most successful managers of the Otto Group, has been appointed CEO of Hermes Europe GmbH, Hamburg, the holding company for all European logistics activities of the Otto Group. The long-time Chief of Hermes UK, an experienced and highly successful manager, takes over the leadership of all European logistics activities of the Otto Group from Donald Pilz.

She joined the Otto Group 30 years ago and became Operations Director of Hermes UK in 2001 after having worked in operational business in the fields of Customer Service and Warehousing. Having successfully completed her MBA, she contributed in an exceptional manner to the success of the company as Managing Director since 2004 and as Chief Executive Officer since 2009.

Walkers’ predecessor Donald Pilz has decided to resign as CEO of the Management Board of Hermes Europe GmbH due to differing views on the strategic direction of the Hermes Group.

Donald Pilz joined the Management Board of Hermes Europe GmbH as chairman on March 1st, 2016. He previously held various management positions in the transport and logistics sector, in particular for the TNT Group, where he headed, amongst others, the German business unit as CEO and later the Western and Central Europe region of TNT Express. Prior to joining Hermes Europe, Mr Pilz was CEO of Palletways GmbH and Member of the European Board of Palletways Ltd.

Martijn de Lange, Managing Director of Hermes UK, will succeed Carole Walker as CEO of Hermes UK.