LIFETIME OF ACHIEVEMENT IN SUPPLY CHAIN
Oscar de Bok , Chief Executive Officer of DHL Supply Chain , stands out as one of logistics ’ most experienced leaders . For 20 years , he has been central to DHL ’ s operations , starting as Marketing Director in Italy and ultimately advancing to guide DHL Supply Chain as a global logistics powerhouse . Raised in a main port city in the Netherlands , he was exposed early to the flow of international goods – an experience that fuelled his lifelong focus on optimising supply chains .
A lifelong journey Having obtained his Master ’ s in Private and Business Law from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands , Oscar began his professional career in the logistics industry , joining Nedlloyd to take up various roles including sales and project management . Oscar was poised to make a significant impact in the logistics sector when Deutsche Post DHL Group acquired Nedlloyd in 1999 . This acquisition marked the beginning of his long and successful journey with DHL .
Over the next two decades , Oscar ’ s career at DHL Supply Chain flourished as he took on increasingly senior roles across multiple regions . He rose through the ranks to become Managing Director for several countries and regions , including Italy , the Nordics and South -East Asia , showcasing his adaptability and global expertise .
His impressive track record and deep understanding of the logistics industry caught the attention of DHL ’ s top leadership . In 2019 , at the age of 52 , Oscar was appointed CEO of DHL Supply Chain and joined the Board of Management of Deutsche Post DHL Group .
Frank Appel , CEO of Deutsche Post DHL Group , was full of praise for Oscar following his appointment , stating : “ Oscar successfully led DHL Supply Chain businesses in both Asia-Pacific and Europe , which makes him the right person at the right time to continue the journey of growing our logistics business through operational excellence , accelerated digitalisation , employee engagement and customer-centricity .”
Navigating change Under Oscar ’ s leadership , DHL Supply Chain has not only weathered industry challenges but also redefined logistics strategy in times of crisis .
During the COVID-19 pandemic , for example , supply chain vulnerability impacting both industries and households became a public focus .
Reflecting on this recent shift , he said : “ Earlier we had to explain what the supply chain was ; now we have to explain how the supply chain will be doing . It really became the centre of everything .”
As the world encounters new hurdles , Oscar continues to adjust DHL ’ s strategy to adapt to geopolitical shifts affecting logistics , with resilience as a primary objective .
46 December 2024