Shipping giant Maersk names Robert Erni as CFO, restructures regional leadership

Global shipping leader Maersk announced several changes for its regional team. The shipper appointed Robert Erni as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Member of the Executive Board. 

Additionally, Ditlev Blicher was appointed Regional President for North America, while Scott Andrew Elliott will serve as interim Regional President of Asia-Pacific. The company also announced Charles Van Der Steene would assume the position of Regional Managing Director for India, the Middle East, and Africa, while Guillaume Sauzedde was appointed as Regional Managing Director for Europe.

“In the past years, our regions have executed strongly against our strategic priorities, driving growth, increasing customer-centricity, and integrating acquired companies," said Vincent Clerc, CEO at Maersk.

This effort, the executive said, has ensured a solid foundation and brought the company to a point where it can confidently reconfigure its regional leadership. 

The above changes are effective from 1 January 2026.

Maersk welcomes a new CFO

Robert Erni, a Swiss national, brings over 30 years of experience in finance functions across the global logistics sector. He spent 20 years at Kuehne+Nagel, where he held several executive finance positions and was stationed in Hong Kong, India, Argentina, the United States, and Switzerland. 

“With Robert Erni, we welcome a highly qualified CFO with deep roots in the global logistics sector and a proven track record of driving process and cost efficiency as well as growth on a global scale,” Clerc said.

“Maersk is executing an ambitious and industry-defining strategy, and I look forward to contributing. I have always admired the company's culture, which aligns closely with my own values, both professionally and personally,” Erni said. 

A smooth handover is ensured during Q1, with Patrick Jany, the current CFO, overseeing the year-end closing and the annual report, to be announced on 5 February, after which the transition takes effect.

A new regional team 

Ditlev Blicher will assume the role of Regional President for the North America Region. Since joining the company in 2020, he has led the Asia-Pacific region. Chief Financial Officer for the Asia-Pacific Region,

Scott Andrew Elliott is appointed interim Regional President of the Asia-Pacific Region. He joined Maersk in 2020.

Charles Van Der Steene steps into the role as Regional Managing Director for the India subcontinent, the Middle East, and the Africa Region. He joined Mearsk in 2011 and has served as the Regional President for North America since.

Richard Morgan, current head of the India subcontinent, Middle East, and Africa Region, will leave the company. Since joining Maersk in 2003, he held a number of commercial leadership roles before taking on the regional leadership role in 2019.

Guillaume Sauzedde is appointed Regional Managing Director for the Europe Region. He joined the company in 2024 as Head of Logistics & Services in the Europe Region. 

*All images courtesy of Maersk

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