DHL Supply Chain appoints new leaders to strengthen customer focus

Andries Retief/Image: Supplied

DHL Supply Chain has announced new leadership appointments, effective 1 September 2025, aimed at reinforcing its customer-first strategy and accelerating global growth under Strategy 2030.

Andries Retief has been named chief development officer (CDO), reporting directly to Hendrik Venter, CEO DHL Supply Chain. With more than 15 years of international leadership experience across Europe, the Middle East & Africa, and Asia, Retief has a strong track record of driving growth, building customer-focused solutions, and establishing strategic partnerships.

In his new role, Retief will spearhead the development of next-generation supply chain solutions, deepen strategic partnerships, and lead customer-centric growth initiatives worldwide. A key focus will be working closely with DHL Supply Chain’s international customer leadership network to ensure customer needs are consistently embedded into global strategy and tailored to local markets.

As part of this expanded network, Marco Brüggemann has been appointed chief customer officer for DHL Supply Chain Europe, while Bremer Pauw takes on the role of chief customer officer for Middle East & Africa.

Read: DHL to invest over EUR500m in Middle East growth markets by 2030

Brüggemann, with DHL since 2002, has held senior strategic and commercial roles across Latin America and Europe. Most recently, he led customer supply chain transformations in e-commerce in Germany & Alps, enabling the rapid expansion of omni-channel operations for DHL’s clients.

Pauw, currently managing director for Africa, has built high-performing teams and delivered customer-focused logistics solutions across complex markets. Based in Dubai, he will continue to serve as Managing Director for Africa while also leading commercial strategy and customer development across the Middle East & Africa. Together with counterparts in Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, and the UK & Ireland, Brüggemann and Pauw will collaborate with Retief to ensure customers experience seamless, resilient, and sustainable supply chains worldwide.

Hendrik Venter, CEO DHL Supply Chain, said: “These appointments further strengthen our global customer leadership team and focus on excellence in customer experience. Andries’s extensive background in driving growth initiatives and cultivating strategic partnerships will be instrumental in fostering a culture of customer-centricity across the organization. By connecting our global customer leadership network and our integrated global logistics network, we ensure customers benefit from both global reach and deep local expertise—helping them navigate today’s challenges and prepare for tomorrow’s opportunities.”