DHL bolsters strength of commercial team in the Middle East

Five high level appointees strengthen the team in the areas of pharmaceuticals, technology, oil and gas, consumer and product and business development.

Joining the Global Multi-National Customers (MNC) Team are two long-serving DHL employees, Turgay Sarikaya, who will be responsible for services to the High Technology sector and Akin Sawyerr, who will be focusing on Life Sciences and Consumer Products.

Sarikaya has served DHL Express and DHL Global Forwarding for many years in various management roles including station management, new product implementation, sales and business development. Previously in Dubai, Sarikaya was DHL Global Forwarding's Middle East Trade Lane Manager, responsible for China and regional High Tech customers. Well versed in the region, Sarikaya has commenced his new role by capturing sector specific information to assist in shaping future service solutions.

Akin Sawyerr brings a wealth of experience and consummate knowledge in the healthcare industry to his new role of MNC Manager, Life Sciences and Consumer Products. Sawyerr previously worked with DHL Exel Supply Chain in the UK, handling the multi-billion dollar National Health Service contract. A much published life sciences writer, Sawyerr has invaluable experience in pharmaceutical sales, and has bold plans to penetrate this fast growing sector in the Middle East.

Adding a wealth of experience to the Middle East Commercial Team is Dirk Van Doorn, who is well established in the position of Products & Business Development Manager. Van Doorn has charted a successful career in business development in the region over the past 11 years, as Global Customer Solutions Manager and Express Freight & Logistics Manager for DHL Express. Van Doorn's extensive logistics knowledge and broad customer contacts have been instrumental in securing large regional contracts, and this background stands him in good stead to develop new products and attract new business.

Oil and Gas specialist James Edgeworth joins DHL with 8 years experience in the express arena. Having been involved in numerous senior level business development and more latterly national sales management, Edgeworth brings a strong skill set in revenue generation and commercial control. Edgeworth has developed senior level relationships with key decision makers of multi national organisations throughout the middle-east and specialises in the ability to conclude high level negotiations and create value propositions that lead to large scale profitable revenue generation.

Also joining the team is Peter Heredia, as Sales Development Manager for the Middle East. Heredia has had a successful sales career with DHL, primarily in the UAE and Australia. He has held a number of sales management roles, most recently as Sales Development Manager in the UAE. In his new role, Heredia will be responsible for developing sales training, tools and processes.

Commenting on the new appointments, David Wild, Area Commercial Director of DHL Express Middle East said:

"With rapid economic growth, the Middle East is one of our most important business regions. It is an emerging market that has the world's attention, and it presents numerous opportunities for our company. Our investment in building a world-class commercial team, will ensure DHL can react to the increasingly complex and challenging demands of the express freight and logistics business."

The five senior appointments further consolidate DHL's position as market leader in the Middle East, where the company has been offering world-class express and logistics services to customers for over 30 years.