Jens Lund

As Group CEO at DSV, Jens Lund is in charge of one of the largest transport and logistics companies in the world. 

It’s a responsibility that Jens embraces with pride – and why wouldn’t he after climbing the corporate ladder at DSV in determined and unrelenting fashion over the course of more than 22 years. 

A matter of months into the job, Jens is already impressing industry experts and peers, demonstrating his immense pedigree in the supply chain space. 

Pursuing finance

Having obtained his Masters in Finance and Audit from Copenhagen Business School, Jens Lund began his professional career as an Auditor, working for several years at Deloitte in Denmark and Krogh & Partners in the UK.  

Jens, now in his late-20s, was intent on plunging deeper into the finance sphere and secured a role in Corporate Finance at Danske Bank, before assuming a similar position in the corporate banking division at Carnegie in 2000. 

Despite opting to transition from financial services into logistics, Jens stayed in touch with his finance background when he joined DSV in 2002, becoming Group Chief Financial Officer and a member of the Executive Board. 

He remained in the role for a staggering 20 years, during which time he established himself as a highly-respected CFO and one of the best-known finance executives in Europe. 

Offering three pieces of advice to fellow leaders via PwC Denmark’s YouTube channel back in 2019, Jens said: “Governance is crucial. You have to get yourself organised and figure out what you want to deliver. 

“You also have to have very high data integrity. Data is the oil that makes our company work and, if our data is too low-quality, we can’t automate processes in the way we want."

“Lastly, you have to be very passionate, because there’s going to be a lot of debate and pushback. You, as the CFO, are key in making sure we deliver on the business cases you have decided.”

Taking the reins at DSV

Following a two-year stint as Group COO and Vice CEO, and in line with the organisation’s long-term succession planning, Jens officially stepped up to become Group CEO at DSV in February 2024 – taking over from company legend Jens Bjørn Andersen.

Paying tribute to his predecessor, Jens Lund said: “I don’t think anyone can question the impact Jens Bjørn has had on DSV for the past 15 years. He has been instrumental in shaping the company that we are today, turning DSV into a key player in our industry while delivering significant value for our shareholders.

“It’s been a true pleasure to work alongside Jens Bjørn through these years and I look forward to building on the foundation we have laid alongside our strong management team and our talented colleagues across the world.”

Heaping praise on the incoming chief executive, Thomas Plenborg, Chairman of the Board of Directors at DSV, highlighted Jens’ “innovative mindset and deep knowledge of our industry”.

It’s been a busy few months for Jens, to say the least. 

In September, DSV confirmed it had struck a groundbreaking deal to purchase fellow logistics giant DB Schenker from German state rail operator Deutsche Bahn for an eye-watering €14.3bn (US$15.8bn). 

The acquisition forms a central part of DSV’s ambitious plans to create a global market leader in the transport and logistics sector, with Germany becoming an even more important market to the growing organisation. Around €1bn (US$1.1bn) is set to be invested in the country over the next three to five years.

Jens labelled the deal a “transformative event” in DSV’s history, adding: “With the acquisition, we bring together two strong companies, creating a world-leading transport and logistics powerhouse that will benefit our employees, customers and shareholders.

“By adding Schenker’s competencies and expertise to our existing network, we improve our competitiveness across all three divisions: Air & Sea, Road and Solutions. 

“As well as enhancing our commercial platform across DSV, the acquisition will provide our customers with even higher service levels, innovative and seamless solutions and flexibility to their supply chains.”

Staying relevant

While relatively new to the top job at DSV, Jens Lund has little to prove in the context of transport and logistics. 

He has, however, spoken of the need to provide an integrated offering to customers that enable them to be successful, while investing in both physical and technical infrastructure, as well as employees. 

“You have to stay relevant,” said Jens during a recent conversation with Brunswick Review. “If we do the things necessary to achieve that, I think we’ll have definitely earned a prominent position within our industry.”

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