DHL Global Forwarding, Freight announced significant changes in management on 24 September 2025. According to the company, the appointments are intended to underline the strategic importance of the areas of Industrial Projects and Customs and to support the implementation of the Group Strategy 2030.
Industrial Projects Leadership
Martyn Lawns assumes the position of Chief Executive Officer at DHL Global Industrial Projects. According to the company, he will also retain his role as global head of the initiative “New Energy.” The Industrial Projects unit offers specialized transport and logistics solutions for large-scale projects in the areas of energy, mining, engineering and infrastructure.
"Martyn's
leadership strength will be crucial to scaling our Industrial Projects business in line with the rising global demand," said Oscar de Bok, CEO DHL Global Forwarding, Freight. "His appointment supports our ambition to be a leader in delivering complex, high-quality logistics projects."
Lawns has more than twenty years of professional experience in international logistics and procurement. To date he has led global industry teams in more than 45 countries, including in the sectors of mining, oil and gas, and renewable energy. With the New Energy initiative, DHL aims to expand its activities in fields such as electromobility, battery supply chains and logistics
for renewable energy.
Customs Responsibility
Greg Nichols has been appointed head of the Integrated Customs Product at DHL Global Forwarding, Freight. He has been with the company since 2019. According to DHL, he previously oversaw the development of the digital platform DHL TradeConnect, which is intended to simplify processes in customs clearance. He also introduced a globally standardized customs operating model aimed at greater consistency and transparency across different markets.
Nichols has almost thirty years of experience in logistics and trade consulting. He has worked in the regions United States, Asia-Pacific and Europe, and is expected to drive the further development of
the customs business at DHL in the future.
"Customs clearance is today far more than just a compliance function - it is a strategic function to enable global trade," said de Bok. "In a volatile and rapidly changing trading environment, Greg's appointment reflects our willingness to help customers navigate complexity and unlock growth potential."
Strategic Importance
According to the company, the two appointments are connected to the growing relevance of specialized logistics solutions for global supply chains. With the new responsibilities, DHL's ability to support international trade flows and to implement complex requirements in the area of project and customs logistics will
