Singapore Post CEO Wolfgang Baier today resigned after four years leading the Asian postal operator’s transformation into an e-commerce logistics group and will leave to take up a new job elsewhere.
Announcing the resignation, SingPost said Baier would ‘support a handover until 20 June 2016 or earlier’ and his responsibilities would be covered by other executives until a new Group CEO was appointed.
Chairman of SingPost, Lim Ho Kee said: "The Board appreciates and thanks Wolfgang for his leadership and role in accelerating SingPost's transformation. Under Wolfgang's leadership and great team effort, SingPost has been established as a regional leader in eCommerce logistics business, with a strong focus on digitising our business. We wish Wolfgang every success in his new endeavours."
Baier, born in Austria and formerly with consultants McKinsey, joined SingPost as Chief Executive Officer (International) in February 2011 to oversee the development of SingPost's international wing. In October 2011, he was appointed Group CEO to lead the company in a crucial stage of its transformation.
Baier commented: "It has been an exciting journey with the entire SingPost team as we stepped up SingPost's transformation from a domestic mail player to a regional eCommerce logistics leader. I am thankful to the Chairman and Board for entrusting me and the team to lead SingPost's accelerated transformation and our pioneering efforts in creating an end-to-end eCommerce logistics platform, over the last five years. The Board also guided our team's tremendous joint efforts in upgrading SingPost's core business, with our people and front-liners at the centre.”
The 41-year-old added: “I am moving to new endeavours and will ensure a smooth handover before I leave. I am confident that SingPost is well positioned to ride on the huge eCommerce opportunities to become one of the global leaders in eCommerce logistics. I wish everyone at SingPost all the best as they continue to embark on new challenges."
Outlining transition plans from 1 January 2016, SingPost said Deputy Chairman Mr Goh Yeow Tin will be appointed an Executive Director for a period of 12 months to oversee the Group's post-merger integration activities, the business and operations in Singapore. Mr Mervyn Lim, Deputy GCEO (Corporate Services), will cover the work of the GCEO. During this period, SingPost Chairman, Mr Lim Ho Kee will step up his involvement to provide management with more time and guidance.
In November, SingPost already announced a new organisation structure to further reinforce its management bench strength based on four pillars of eCommerce, Postal, Logistics and Operations, and Corporate Services. These four pillars are led by Marcelo Wessler, CEO (SP eCommerce), Woo Keng Leong, CEO (Postal Services), Sascha Hower, Chief Operating Officer and CEO (Quantium Solutions), and Mervyn Lim, Deputy GCEO (Corporate Services) and Group CFO respectively.
Giving further insights into the interim while SingPost looks for a Group CEO, Lim Ho Kee said: "SingPost's strengthened organisational structure will ensure a smooth leadership transition. SingPost's management team has been organised to focus on integrating its recent acquisitions and investments for greater shareholder value, accelerating the growth of the global eCommerce business, maintaining sustainability of the mail business despite the declining letter volumes, and expanding the Group's logistics business and operations."
During the next phase of its transformation, SingPost will continue to benefit from the invaluable guidance and contributions of the Executive Committee and the Board. Notably, Executive Director Mr Goh Yeow Tin will oversee the Group's post-merger integration work, and the businesses and operations in Singapore, ensuring the momentum of SingPost's vital transformation continues unabated. Additionally, Board Director, Mr Michael Murphy, with his vast and deep US experience, has played a major role in SingPost's recent acquisitions of TradeGlobal Inc and Jagged Peak in the USA, and will continue to oversee the integration of these acquisitions as SingPost leapfrogs into global eCommerce logistics.
Lim concluded: "We will continue to accelerate SingPost's transformation and building our global eCommerce logistics business on the back of our strong postal backbone."
