News / DHL GF promotes Martin Lawns to CEO of Global Industrial Projects

Photo: georg-foto, offenbach

DHL Global Forwarding has appointed Martin Lawns (pictured) as chief executive for Global Industrial Projects, while Greg Nichols’ role as SVP Global Customs is expanding.

Mr Lawns has spent nigh on 11 years with the German firm, having joined from Rio Tinto, holding several roles before being appointed regional VP for European operations on industrial projects.

This latest promotion comes five months after being made an SVP, with Global Forwarding CEO Oscar de Bok describing Mr Lawns as “instrumental to the company’s future”.

“Martyn’s leadership will be instrumental in scaling our industrial projects business to meet rising global demand. His appointment supports our ambition to lead in high-value, complex logistics,” he said.

Mr Lawns will remain the lead on DHL’s New Energy growth initiative, focusing on electric vehicles, battery supply chains, and renewable energy logistics.

Meanwhile, Mr Nichols is in his second stint at DHL, having returned six years ago some 18 years after departing. In that interim period, he bounced between KPMG and PWC, before moving to Tradewin Asia, where he served as regional principal lead.

Since his return to DHL, Mr Nichols has “overseen rapid growth and innovation,” including launching TradeConnect, a digital platform to simplify and streamline customs brokerage.