Hermes today named a new CEO for its Germany business after the former boss and also the head of operations were reportedly sacked due to disappointing results and other issues.
Olaf Schabirosky was appointed CEO of Hermes Germany with immediate effect at today’s meeting of Hermes Europe’s Supervisory Board. His previous responsibilities as Manager Services and Finance will be taken over by Hendrik Schneider who will also serve as Chief Financial Officer of Hermes Europe.
Hermes announced that the current CEO Frank Rausch and Chief Operating Officer Dirk Rahn “have decided by mutual and amicable agreement” to leave the company.
“On behalf of the Otto Group Executive Board, I would like to thank Frank Rausch and Dirk Rahn for their strong commitment,” stated Kay Schiebur, Member of the Otto Group Executive Board, Services. “Through the success of their efforts over many years, they have played a key role in establishing the Hermes Group as one of the leading logistics companies in Europe, thereby making a valuable contribution to the Otto Group. We wish them all the best and great success in the future both professionally and personally.”
However, German daily Die Welt reported this morning that the two long-serving managers had been sacked last week by Carole Walker, the former head of Hermes UK who took over as CEO Hermes Europe last November.
According to the article, Hermes Germany made an operating loss last year while the announcement by Rausch that the consumer delivery specialist would charge 50 cents extra for home deliveries had been “received negatively on the management floor”. In addition, criticism of working conditions at subcontractors had also played a role in the decision, the newspaper wrote.
Hamburg-based Hermes increased overall revenues by more than 12% (on a currency-neutral basis) to €3.13 billion in the year ending February 2018. Revenues for Germany were not disclosed, although the group said the German business “remains on a clear course for growth and is equipping itself with modern infrastructure for growth over the next few years”.
The new Hermes Germany CEO, Olaf Schabirosky, has worked for the Otto Group since 1994 in various management positions. In June 2014 he was appointed Managing Director of Hermes Germany where he was responsible for the areas of Finance IT, Digital Lab, Consulting and Projects, HR, Legal and Central Services.
Hendrik Schneider joined Otto Group in 2001, working for several businesses, including Bonprix and OTTO. In July 2013 he became Managing Director of OTTO Shared Services GmbH.
“I am extremely delighted that two successful and strong leaders, Olaf Schabirosky and Hendrik Schneider, (will) take over these key positions at the helm of Hermes Germany and give themselves the task of refocusing the company in a very demanding competitive environment”, said Schiebur, who was appointed new Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Hermes Europe at the Supervisory Board Meeting.
Going forward, the Executive Board of Hermes Germany will comprise Olaf Schabirosky, Hendrik Schneider, sales & marketing chief Thomas Horst and a Managing Director for Operations who is yet to be appointed.
