After gaining European Commission approval for its €14.3 billion acquisition of Schenker from Deutsche Bahn, DSV has announced the first tranche of new executive leadership appointments.
The green light for the purchase, which is expected to be completed on 30 April 2025 DSV will double its size, resulting in the formation of one of the world’s largest transport and logistics conglomerates.
Based on the financials for the 2024 full year, the combined company had a pro forma revenue of approximately DKK 310 billion (€41.5 billion) and close to 160,000 employees.
The latest appointments are seen as a definitive move to strengthen DSV’s commercial approach and integration efforts.
Although DSV’s Executive Board remains unchanged, several new members will be welcomed to the Group Executive Committee, as well as the Solutions Division has been renamed ‘Contract Logistics’.
The changes will include Helmut Schweighofer, who will become the new CEO of the Road Division. Schweighofer currently holds a position as CEO of Schenker’s Europe Region, with 40,000 employees, a role he has held since 2018.
Schweighofer succeeds Søren Schmidt, who has decided to continue his career outside DSV after three decades of dedicated service.
Vishal Sharma, currently CEO of Schenker’s Asia Pacific Region, will become the new Group CCO, bringing more than 30 years’ industry and global executive leadership experience to this role.
Sharma replaces Morten Landry, who will become CCO of DSV’s largest division, Air & Sea, from Q1 2026. Until then, he will remain part of DSV’s Group Commercial executive team to ensure a smooth transition.
Saskia Blochberger will join the DSV Group Executive Committee as Group Chief People Officer (CPO). Blochberger joins from her position as CPO in Schenker’s Europe Region and brings significant P&O and business strategy experience from a variety of leadership roles.
After a long-standing tenure with DSV, Helle Bach, current Head of Group HR, has decided to step down and pursue new opportunities outside DSV.
The Board of Directors of DSV intends to nominate Jochen Thewes, Schenker CEO, for election to the Board at an Extraordinary General Meeting following the completion of the acquisition.
The appointments will be effective after completion of the acquisition, at which time the DSV Group Executive Committee will consist of:
- Group CEO – Jens H. Lund (Executive Board)
- Group CFO – Michael Ebbe (Executive Board)
- Group COO – Brian Ejsing (Executive Board)
- CEO Air & Sea – Frank Sobotka
- CEO Road – Helmut Schweighofer
- CEO Contract Logistics – Albert-Derk Bruin
- Group CCO – Vishal Sharma
- Group CIO – Jesper Riis
- Group CPO – Saskia Blochberger
- Senior Executive Vice President, Corporate Development – Henrik Kjelgaard
DSV Group CEO, Jens H. Lund, said he was very pleased with the new-look executive team “for the next important stage in our journey as the global leader in transport and logistics”.
“A warm welcome to Helmut Schweighofer, Vishal Sharma and Saskia Blochberger, who join our Group Executive Committee from Schenker,” said Lund.
“They all bring extensive experience and excellent leadership capabilities to drive our business forward.
“At the same time, I wish to thank Søren Schmidt and Helle Bach for their dedicated and long-standing contributions to DSV. And I am glad that Morten Landry will continue to drive the commercial efforts in our Air & Sea Division.
Lund added that DSV was eager to move forward with the integration of the two companies once the acquisition was finalised.
“We have started our nomination and appointment process for executives, using the ‘best athlete’ principle,” he said.
“Executives from both DSV and Schenker have been assessed based on competencies and achievements, as well as professional and personal plans for the future.
“This has led to the appointment of very experienced executive leaders from both DSV and Schenker.”
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