Carole Walker, Hermes Europe CEO to retire in the summer
Carole Walker, CEO Hermes Europe, will take early retirement in summer 2019. As of 01 March 2019, Kay Schiebur, Otto Group Executive Board Member Services, will assume some of her responsibilities.
“Everyone who knows me is aware just how much Hermes means to me, and that the decision I took a considerable time ago was by no means an easy one”, says Carole Walker. “But I know that this is now the right step for me personally, to begin a new chapter in my life.”
Carole Walker joined the Otto Group 31 years ago as a graduate. Her first posts were at the British mail-order company Grattan, in Customer Services and Warehousing. In 2001 she was named Hermes UK (hitherto Parcelnet) Operations Director. In 2004 she became Managing Director and then in 2009 CEO of Hermes UK. In November 2017 she accepted the role of CEO Hermes Europe and has made a major contribution to the reorganisation of the Hermes Group. “I am deeply proud of what the teams I have worked in have achieved – namely developing and building the Hermes Group into what it is today”, says Carole Walker, looking back on her career.
“We naturally respect Carole Walker’s personal plans, which the Executive Board have been aware of for quite some time”, says Kay Schiebur, Otto Group Executive Board Member Services. “At the same time, we very much regret her decision. After all, in her many years working for Hermes Carole Walker has achieved extraordinary successes. Her tremendous specialist expertise, and not least her strong personality as a leader, have enabled her to develop the company very successfully and play a major role in shaping it. I thank her most warmly for this, also on behalf of the whole Otto Group Executive Board.”
As of 01 March 2019 Carole Walker will reduce her worktime and concentrate on the activities of Hermes Germany, Hermes International and Hermes Europe. Hermes Fulfilment and Hermes Einrichtungs Service (HES) already report directly to Kay Schiebur; from March 2019 the national companies Hermes UK and Hermes France will also report to him. Following Carole Walker’s departure from the company, the CEO Hermes Europe position will not be reassigned; all companies will report directly to Kay Schiebur.
“As a management team, in the new structure we will continue to drive forward the changes already launched”, emphasises Kay Schiebur. “I am very pleased that Carole Walker will continue to support these important projects with all her experience and passion until she leaves the company.”
