Veteran Dutch turnaround expert Tex Gunning was today named as the new CEO of TNT Express andtasked with implementing the company’s new ‘standalone’ strategy following the failed takeover by
UPS.TNT said that a key priority for Gunning will be finalisation of the improvement plans that willbe presented at the upcoming strategy update on 25 March 2013.
The 62-year-old, who has been on the company’s supervisory board since May 2011, needs to beapproved at the company’s annual shareholder meeting on April 10, 2013, and would take up the poston June 1, 2013. He is stepping down from the TNT supervisory board with immediate effect.
Interim CEO Bernhard Bot will return to his position as Chief Financial Officer while interimCFO Jeroen Seyger will have a senior financial position at the company, the TNT supervisory boardannounced. The CEO position has been vacant since the resignation of Marie-Christine Lombard lastSeptember.
Gunning is currently on the management board of Dutch company AkzoNobel, the world’s largestpaints and coatings company, with responsibility for the Decorative Paints business. He will leavethe company on April 26, 2013.
At AkzoNobel, the Dutchman played a crucial role in the integration of ICI’s paints activities,resulting in substantial synergy savings, and also oversaw the turnaround of Decorative Paints inNorth America, substantially restructured the European activities and grew the businesssignificantly in other markets, TNT pointed out in a statement.
Prior to AkzoNobel, he was CEO of employment company Vedior, which he successfully merged withRandstad in 2008, and was previously more than 25 years with the Unilever group, including a longperiod in Asia.
“Tex’s extensive business experience and track record in successfully turning around businessesand delivering results make him the ideal candidate in this critical time for the company,” saidAntony Burgmans, Chairman of the Supervisory Board. “He is also an inspiring leader and we lookforward to Tex stepping into his new role and helping the company realise its improvement plans.The combination of Tex and Bernard is an ideal Executive Board. I also want to recognise Bernard’sand Jeroen’s enormous contributions over the past months and their commitment to support thecompany going forward.”
Gunning said: “I am honoured to be part of TNT Express and look forward to leading the companyalongside Bernard, with support from the extended management team. I fully endorse the improvementplan that is being developed and am fully committed to its successful implementation.”
