DHL Express CEO retires after 36 years

DHL Express has announced leadership changes to its Australian business, with the retirement of Gary Edstein, CEO and Senior Vice President for Australia and Papua New Guinea at the end of 2022 after 36 years in service.

Phil Corcoran, currently Vice President Commercial Australia, will assume the role of Managing Director, Australia and Papua New Guinea, effective 1 January 2023.

Corcoran will report to DHL Express CEO Asia Pacific Ken Lee.

“Gary has dedicated his career to DHL and he has been instrumental in positioning DHL Express as a market leader in Oceania,” said Ken Lee, CEO Asia Pacific at DHL Express.

“He has increased our market share and revenue, built the partner network and laid a solid foundation for future growth,” he said.

On Corcoran’s latest appointment, Lee said that he is excited for him to take over the mantle.

“I am very confident that he will continue to build on the success with the support of a very knowledgeable leadership team in the region,” Lee said.

Edstein most recently spent 20 years at DHL on leading the Oceania, Australia and Papua New Guinea regions.

His career with DHL began in 1986 as Sales Manager, before going on to lead as Country Manager for the New Zealand and Pacific Islands business (1993), Australia business (1998), and a stint overseas as Director Express for Logistics Japan (2000) and Project Director, Asia Pacific Logistics Optimization (2002).

DHL Express said that under his leadership, the company is now the market leader of the Time Definite International industry, growing its presence as a B2C brand.

In 2021, DHL Express Australia was named the 2nd best workplace in Australia by Great Place to Work, and the company’s employee engagement studies have consistently recorded scores over 90%.

Related: DHL Express named #1 world’s best workplace in 2021

With 26 years of experience with DHL Express, Corcoran’s appointment strengthens the business’s position with in-depth market knowledge and experience.

Starting his DHL career in Australia in 1996, he has held various commercial and management positions across the Oceania region, including General Manager for Fiji and the Pacific Islands (2002), National Sales Manager New Zealand (2005), and since 2012, Vice President Commercial Australia.

“As the Vice President Commercial Australia, Phil has led the commercial development of our business with a high-performing team, delivering consistent double-digit growth through unpredictable economic conditions,” said Gary Edstein, CEO and Senior Vice President, DHL Express Australia and Papua New Guinea.

“His customer-centric focus and advocacy for our culture of respect and results place us in a strong position going forward,” he said.

With the Australian arm of the business established in 1972, this year marks the company’s 50th year of operations in the country.

Source: DHL