It has been a busy week for the Toll Group, who have provided a pair of updates relating both to its executive and an external acquisition.
Group managing director Alan Beacham has announced that he will be stepping down from his role as of July 1 this year, with his replacement already announced.
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Current Toll Group chairman Thomas Knudsen has been appointed executive chairman in the interim to provide continuity while the board searches for a new group managing director.
Beacham has held multiple roles at Toll over the past seven years, including president of Toll Global Express, where he led a turnaround and the sale of the division.
“It has been a privilege to lead Toll Group as managing director. Toll has great people and great customers. I’m proud of the progress we have made, and I look forward to seeing Toll move from strength to strength,” Beacham says.
He has served as managing director for the past three years, during which he successfully guided the company through challenging times, including stabilising and rebuilding the business in the aftermath of two cyberattacks and the impact of COVID-19, before turning around the performance of the Australian business and implementing key initiatives for growth in Asia.
“On behalf of the board, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to Alan Beacham for his leadership and commitment to Toll,” Knudsen says.
“During his tenure, Alan reset Toll’s strategy, led a successful productivity program, lifted engagement and delivered improved financial results. Alan’s work has set a strong foundation for Toll’s future.”
On the acquisition front, Toll has entered into an agreement to acquired international freight forwarding specialist Transolve.
The strategic acquisition is set to enhance Toll Global Forwarding’s capabilities, with the transaction expected to be completed “in a few weeks”.
“We are very excited about Transolve becoming part of Toll. The Transolve team has built impressive capabilities that will significantly enhance our customer solutions for customers and drive our growth in our strategic verticals,” Toll Global Forwarding interim president Suhail Qureshi says.
Transolve’s renowned expertise in handling wines, bulk liquids and perishables will operate as a separate brand within the Toll Global Forwarding division.
The acquisition now allows Toll Group to enhance its services, offering new solutions to existing customers.
The acquisition will allow Transolve’s customers to leverage Toll’s extensive international network, gaining access to a broader range of logistics services.
Transolve CEO Rachael Budd will lead the new business unit and join the Toll Global Forwarding leadership team as senior vice president Transolve, bringing invaluable expertise and leadership.
“We are thrilled to be a part of Toll Group. This acquisition amplifies our capabilities and expands our reach, enabling us to deliver more value to our customers in the wine, bulk liquids, and food & beverage sectors,” Budd says.
This acquisition marks a significant step in Toll Group’s commitment to supporting its customers’ regional and global growth ambitions.