Søren Skou to leave Maersk

The change of CEOs will take place on January 1 2023, said the group.

Søren Skou has been CEO at Maersk since 2016, and will be succeeded by current CEO of the group’s Ocean and Logistics business, Vincent Clerc.

““For almost seven years I have worked together with my team to change the business model, the culture, the digital backbone, and the results to make Maersk a profitable growth company again,” said Skou.

I have worked closely with Vincent for more than a decade and I am confident that he is ready to take the Company to the next level. I look forward to a new chapter in life where I will continue to work at non-executive level and have more time for my family and for other interests.”

Skou leaves the business as the global container shipping market hits headwinds after a series of recording-breaking quarters, not least of all at Maersk.

Commenting on the challenge ahead, Clerc said: ““On the heels of a pandemic, and now with the war in Ukraine and an energy crisis upon us, there are many tough challenges ahead; challenges that impact us all and where Maersk can make a difference. Companies are rethinking their supply chains in this new environment, they are looking for more stability, and more support on their decarbonisation journey. This represents an incredible business opportunity for Maersk that we all are eager to seize.

It will demand of us that we stay the course on our strategy, delivering on our digitalisation and decarbonisation roadmaps, while keeping a sharper than ever eye on our operational excellence and performance. When we do that, we will make a profound positive impact for all our stakeholders.”

Maersk’s chair of the board of directors Robert Uggla, said: “Soren has contributed to our Group’s development over almost forty years, of which eleven years as CEO for Maersk Tankers, four years as CEO for Maersk Line and close to seven years as CEO for Maersk.

“During his tenure as CEO of Maersk, Soren has been instrumental in redefining Maersk into a customer centric end-to-end logistics provider with a global leadership position in sustainable transportation solutions.

“On behalf of the Board, I sincerely thank Soren for his valued leadership and impressive results. I am equally grateful for Soren’s support in the CEO succession review making sure the Company does not lose any momentum in its strategic endeavors in a changing and difficult market.”

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