Culina Group has appointed Liam McElroy (pictured) as its chief executive and promoted Fabian Koehler, who joined as chief strategy officer last November, as deputy group chief executive.
These latest appointments follow a period of management turmoil for the company which last October saw group chief executive Thomas Van Mourik, step down after being at the helm for 30 years, with former group deputy chief executive William Stobart also leaving in the same month. Van Mourik was replaced by Ian Smith, former head of Culina’s chilled division. However Smith left the company after three months.
McElroy brings years of experience in the logistics sector to his new post. Former roles include operations director at DHL and MD of retail and consumer at Wincanton, which he held for six years. His most recent post was as senior vice president of GXO Logistics, which he held between December 2021 and September 2022.
Koehler takes on the role of deputy group CEO of Culina Group. He comes from Kuehne + Nagel, which he joined as an intern in 2005 and rose through the ranks to take several senior leadership roles, most recently as senior vice president of the company’s road logistics division for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
In his new role he will report directly to McElroy with a brief to work with the CEO to deliver the group’s strategy and embed its plans for long-term growth.
Announcing the appointments, Culina Group said that in early 2024, the business identified that it needed to evolve in order “to respond to the changing demands of its customers and the markets it serves”.
This involved refocusing the business under three strategic pillars - chilled, ambient and co-packing. These divisions are led by Alastair Isbister who took on the role of CEO of the ambient division in 2024, Steve Winwood who heads up the chilled business and Andrew Dawson who is the CEO of co-packing.
Culina said the appointment of a new group chief executive and deputy group CEO represents a pivotal milestone in the 3PL’s drive for growth.
Theo Müller Junior, chair of Culina’s supervisory board, said: “Liam’s significant experience across the logistics, business-to-business and retail sectors will add further valuable insight into the opportunities open to Culina, as we continue to align our business operations to the evolving needs of our customers.
‘I’m delighted to welcome Fabian into this new role, where he will work closely with Liam to deliver the group’s strategic transformation programme and embed our plan for long-term growth and success.
“We already have a wealth of knowledge and experience throughout the Culina Group business, and I’m delighted to top that up with these key appointments.
“The business is in an exciting phase and ready to continue to build on its success.”
McElroy will join Culina Group on Monday 24 February with Koehler taking on his new role with immediate effect.