Two senior executives at DHL Global Forwarding are in the middle of a leadership transition, with Casper Ellerbaek and Niki Frank to swap roles from August 1, 2027. The appointments are intended to improve management capabilities, encourage closer collaboration across the organization and support the company’s continued focus on customer service and operational performance.

The changes, announced on November 11, 2026, will see Niki Frank, currently CEO of DHL Global Forwarding Asia Pacific, become Executive Vise President Global Ocean Freight, based in Bonn, Germany. Frank will be succeeded by Casper Ellerbaek, currently the global Ocean Freight leader, who will take over as CEO of DHL Global Forwarding Asia Pacific, based in Singapore.

Both executives will continue to report into Oscar de Bok, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding.

In response to the appointments, de Bok pointed to the international management experience and the complementary expertise the two executives will bring to their new roles. “Frank’s extensive experience as a strategic and regional leader will further enhance the firm’s global Ocean Freight business, while Ellerbaek’s deep Ocean Freight expertise and Asia Pacific experience will help to grow the region,” he said.

He was also convinced that they would be able to build on the existing business foundations while continuing to improve customer focus and overall performance.

Casper Ellerbaek to lead Asia Pacific operations in Singapore

Ellerbaek brings extensive experience from DHL Global Forwarding, where he joined in 2010 as Vise President Asia Pacific Trade.

He then held several senior management positions in Ocean Freight across the Asia Pacific region before rejoining DHL Global Forwarding in 2023 as Executive Vise President Global Ocean Freight.

In his career he has gathered extensive experience in international freight forwarding and has worked in management positions within both regional and global operations.

Ellerbaek has been heading the strategic development of DHL Global Forwarding’s Global Ocean Freight business since his return in 2023. During his tenure he has worked to improve coordination between regions, countries and corporate functions while strengthening organizational accountability and operational execution.

Under his leadership, the company has also pushed forward its digital transformation agenda and strengthened its relationship with customers and business partners.

He will be based in Singapore and will be in charge of DHL Global Forwarding's operations in Asia Pacific from August 1, 2027.

Niki Frank appointed Executive Vice President Global Ocean Freight

Frank's professional background within DHL Group combines corporate strategy, business development and international operational management.

He joined the group in 2012, working initially in Corporate Development, before moving to DHL Global Forwarding in 2014 as Senior Vice President Global Business Strategy.

His career subsequently took him to India, where he was appointed CEO of DHL Global Forwarding India in 2019. In 2023, he took over as CEO DHL Global Forwarding Asia Pacific, a position he will hold until the upcoming transition.

During his time with the group, Frank has developed experience across corporate and divisional strategy, as well as country-level and regional leadership.

As head of the Asia Pacific region, he has worked to strengthen the regional management team and establish the foundations for its growth strategy. His priorities have included customer centricity, business performance and greater accountability among individual countries and their respective leadership teams.

Beginning August 1, 2027, Frank will relocate his leadership responsibilities to Bonn, where he will oversee DHL Global Forwarding's worldwide Ocean Freight business.

Continued leadership and international cooperation

The switching of duties is part of DHL Global Forwarding’s strategy to leverage the complementary strengths of two seasoned executives across its regional and global operations.

Ellerbaek’s experience in Ocean Freight management and knowledge of Asian markets will stand-by him as he takes on leadership of the Asia Pacific business. Meanwhile, Frank will bring his strategic background and regional management experience to the company’s global Ocean Freight operations.

“These appointments are part of DHL Global Forwarding’s initiatives to ensure leadership continuity, strengthen collaboration across its international organization and continue its focus on customer relationships, business performance and operational execution.

The leadership changes will take effect officially on August 1, 2027.