Carole Walker to head Hermes Europe

Carole Walker (previously Woodhead) has been appointed chief executive officer of Hermes Europe. Walker will be responsible for the leadership of all European logistics activities of Hermes’ parent company the Otto Group.

Martijn de Lange is taking over Walker’s previous role of chief executive of Hermes UK.

Walker takes over her new role from Donald Pilz. She joined the Otto Group 30 years ago, becoming operations director of Hermes UK in 2001. She later became managing director in 2004 and chief executive in 2009.

“I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved in the UK and would like to thank my fantastic team,” said Walker. “This new role is an amazing opportunity for me to use my experience, industry expertise and UK success to help support and develop Hermes’ businesses across Europe.

“I am excited about the possibilities and opportunities, not only for me personally, but for us as a group. My passion for Hermes UK could not be more apparent and I intend to take that same passion across the group.”

Martijn de Lange, chief executive Hermes UK, said: “I am honoured to become CEO of such an amazing business as we continue our journey ‘to be the carrier of choice for every end consumer in the UK.

“We are making the transition from an operational business to a more customer experience and technology driven organisation and this is an exciting time for us. I am really looking forward to taking this agenda forward, and of course focusing Hermes on our current priority, which is to ensure that we deliver a fantastic peak for our retailers.”