DHL Express has announced the appointment of Karen Tan as its new Chief Information Officer (CIO) for Asia Pacific, as the company continues to strengthen its digital strategy and talent pipeline across the region. Based in Singapore, Tan steps into the role following the retirement of Jimmy Yeoh, who concludes an impressive 33-year career with the organisation at the end of 2025.
Tan previously held the position of CIO at DHL Express Singapore, where she led the rollout of a nationwide digitalisation strategy. Her work included enhancing data protection and information security practices, as well as achieving significant improvements in employee engagement and leadership scores within her IT division. Alongside her CIO responsibilities, she also acted as the company’s Data Protection Officer (DPO) Champion, working with global legal and compliance teams to embed strong policies around personal data management.
In addition, Tan was an active advocate for workplace inclusion, serving as the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) Champion. She introduced initiatives including International Women’s Day, International Men’s Day, and Generations Day, designed to create a more connected and inclusive culture.
In her new role, she will oversee the Asia Pacific region’s IT infrastructure, digital innovation roadmap, and cybersecurity strategy, across a network spanning more than 40 countries and territories. Her leadership is expected to play a key role in improving cross-functional collaboration and ensuring the company continues to provide seamless cross-border trade and premium customer service.
Ken Lee, CEO for Asia Pacific at DHL Express, said: “Digitalization remains one of the megatrends DHL Group has identified that will impact the logistics industry. Our Strategy 2030 has also firmly emphasized growing this segment to accelerate digital innovation for enhanced customer experience. A robust IT strategy will empower us to become more agile, reliable and resilient.”
He added: “As we focus on developing our people and nurturing talent from within, Karen’s proven track record in driving digital acceleration, data protection, and cross-functional collaboration makes her the ideal leader to take our Asia Pacific IT function to the next level. Her people-first approach and passion for innovation will be instrumental in supporting our teams and delivering value to our customers.”
Reflecting on her appointment, Tan commented: “As digital ecosystems grow more complex, the challenges around cybersecurity and data protection continue to be highly critical. While we manage these risks with care and precision, it is essential that we continue to uphold the standards and quality of our employee and customer experience. Asia Pacific is a dynamic and diverse region, and I am honored to take on this role and work closely with a passionate team that is committed to driving innovation and operational excellence every day.”
Tan’s career with DHL Express began in 1990, when she joined as a customer service trainer. Since then, she has held a wide range of positions across the group, covering IT, operations, and commercial functions. Between 2014 and 2021, she served as Vice President of Operations Programs for Asia Pacific, before taking on the CIO position at DHL Express Singapore.
