Hakan Bicil has taken up his new post as Chief Executive of Imperial Logistics International, the international division of Johannesburg-based Imperial Logistics.

Reporting to Imperial Logistics Group Chief Executive Marius Swanepoel, Bicil is charged with accelerating the development of the Group’s international business - which currently accounts for some 40% of Imperial Logistics’ total revenue, with a turnover of €1.6 billion.

Bicil joins ILI from CEVA Logistics, where he was Chief Commercial Officer responsible for global sales. Previously, he was European MD for Toll Global Forwarding and, prior to that, held various board level posts at Kuehne & Nagel.

Says Bicil: “I am thrilled to be taking over the reins at Imperial Logistics International at the most exciting time in its young history. We have a diversified portfolio of businesses with impressive collective capabilities, a blue-chip customer list, and a team of highly-experienced experts. These are excellent building blocks on which to base our “One Imperial Logistics” concept, which will see the creation of a single company and a single global brand.

“Imperial is a transport and logistics giant in its home territory of South Africa, with substantial operations throughout all Africa’s major markets; but is lesser known elsewhere. That will change: we have the appetite to grow and the resources to support our strategy.”

Adds Marius Swanepoel: “We have been fortunate in attracting such a capable leader to steer Imperial Logistics International through the next phase of its development. Hakan’s extensive global logistics experience encompassing major accounts management, leading a huge global sales operation and spearheading mergers and acquisitions will be invaluable in achieving our goals.”