DHL Express has appointed Karen Tan as chief information officer for Asia Pacific, effective September 1, 2025.

Based in Singapore, Tan will oversee IT strategy, digital initiatives, and cybersecurity across the region, taking over from Jimmy Yeoh, who retires at the end of 2025 after 33 years with the company.

Tan previously served as CIO for DHL Express Singapore and has held various roles within the company since 1990.

In her new position, she will manage IT infrastructure and support digital projects across more than 40 countries and territories in Asia Pacific.

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🔗 Source: DHL Express

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Long-term employee development creates institutional knowledge advantage

Karen Tan’s promotion from customer service trainer to regional CIO over 35 years demonstrates how companies benefit from developing talent internally during major digital transformations.

Her journey since joining DHL in 1990 mirrors the retiring Jimmy Yeoh’s 33-year tenure, showing how the company has consistently promoted from within for critical leadership roles1.

This approach becomes particularly valuable during digital acceleration efforts, as leaders with deep operational knowledge can better navigate the complexities of transforming established processes.

Companies like DHL gain competitive advantage when executives understand both legacy systems and customer needs from ground-level experience, enabling more practical digital transformation strategies.

2️⃣ Asia Pacific CIO appointments signal strategic importance of regional digital leadership

The timing of this CIO appointment aligns with DHL’s broader €2 billion digital transformation investment announced in 2019, highlighting how regional leadership roles have become critical to executing global digital strategies2.

Managing IT infrastructure across 40+ countries and territories in the Asia Pacific region requires localized expertise that understands diverse regulatory environments, infrastructure capabilities, and market demands1.

This regional approach to digital transformation reflects how global logistics companies are decentralizing technology decisions to better serve local markets while maintaining global connectivity.

The emphasis on cybersecurity and data protection in Karen’s previous roles as Singapore CIO and Data Protection Officer Champion demonstrates how regional leaders must balance global standards with local compliance requirements.

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