Danish shipping and logistics group Blue Water has appointed Thomas Bek as its new chief executive, succeeding Søren Nørgaard Thomsen, who steps down after seven years at the helm.
Bek, who started as a freight forwarding trainee with Blue Water 29 years ago, takes over immediately. For the past three years, he has served as chief of operations of the energy, ports and projects division, overseeing some of the company’s largest operations.
The change comes after a period of strong growth under Thomsen, which has seen turnover nearly doubled since 2018.
However, earlier this year, the Esbjerg-headquartered company rolled out a new strategy and organisational structure aimed at sharpening its global competitiveness.
Board chairman Jørgen Wisborg said the leadership transition was about aligning with the next phase of the strategy.
“Søren has made a great effort to strengthen Blue Water. But we believe a different profile is needed to execute our new strategy. Thomas Bek has a deep understanding of the company, commercially and operationally, and is a strong ambassador for its values,” Wisborg said.
The company’s 2030 strategy centres on three areas: keeping Blue Water an attractive workplace, maintaining high service levels for customers, and improving profitability through operational efficiency and increased market share.
Bek said he is approaching the role with “pride and humility,” noting the importance of maintaining Blue Water’s culture while navigating global market volatility.
“Our foundation is solid, and we’ve made a good start in implementing the new strategy. But the markets and supply chains remain unpredictable, so we must stay ready to adapt,” he noted.
