Bernard Bot to step down as TNT Express CFO

TNT Express has started the search for a new chief financial officer, after present incumbent Bernard Bot confirmed he will step down. Bot, who was acting chief executive from October 2012 until June 2013, has said he will not seek re-election as CFO at next week’s Annual General Meeting at TNT headquarters outside Amsterdam.

TNT Express said this morning it has begun looking for a successor, and will announce the effective date of Bot’s departure in due course.

Bot first joined TNT back in 2005, before which he was at consultancy McKinsey & Company for 13 years as a partner serving clients in the post, logistics and transport sectors.

He joined TNT as group director business control, but became acting CFO from August 2010 until the company’s demerger in 2011.

From March 2011 Bot was CFO of the express side of TNT following its independence from the postal side, which became PostNL. Facing hostile shareholders, he was heavily involved in the ongoing business turnaround plan that has sought to improve the financial performance at TNT Express following the struggles it has faced since its demerger.

Bot took over as interim chief executive at TNT Express at the end of September 2012, when its CEO Marie-Christine Lombard unexpectedly jumped ship prior to an expected takeover of the company by UPS, a takeover which subsequently fell through.

He continued to be interim chief as UPS withdrew its takeover offer in early 2013, until current CEO Tex Gunning started in June 2013.

Bot is also a board member at the aircraft parts firm Avio-Diepen B.V.

Antony Burgmans, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, said today: “Bernard played an important role in the development of TNT Express. He built a strong global finance organisation and initiated the turnaround of the company through the Deliver! programme. For this, he deserves our gratitude and we wish Bernard all the best for the future.”