APC Overnight appoints new CEO

Jonathan Smith, the former boss of Yodel and MD of DHL Express (UK), has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer of APC Overnight. The move marks the first time in the company’s 20 year history that someone from outside the business has taken the top position.

Described by APC as a “courier industry heavyweight”, Smith has been the Chairman of InPost UK for the past 18 months. He was previously the CEO of Yodel for three years and, prior to this, head of DHL Express UK.

As Managing Director of DHL Domestic (UK), Smith led the separation of the business from its global parent, as well as its integration with the Home Delivery Network. He was subsequently appointed as the new company’s CEO, a position he held until 2012.

Smith has also held other CEO roles both within and outside of the logistics sector. Amtrak, City Link and Red Star all feature on his CV.

Speaking about his new appointment, Smith said: “APC Overnight has achieved impressive year on year growth for the last 20 years, including significant expansion and investment in 2012 that has helped the company accommodate increasing demand for its service.

“My first role as CEO will be to conduct an in-depth review of the company’s operations, in order to develop a strategy on how APC Overnight can continue to expand into what has become one of the UK’s most rapidly changing sectors.”

Former CEO, Karl Brown, will continue to sit on APC Overnight’s board of directors as well as maintaining his position as chairman of his three APC Overnight depots; Direct Logistics, in Thorne and Express Logistics in Nottingham and Stockport.

Jon Barber, Chairman of APC Overnight, said: “It has been a long term aspiration of the business to appoint an independent external chief executive to take over the reins of the business and that was one of my main aims when taking on the role of Chairman.”