In episode 173 of the Leaders in Value Chain Podcast, my guest is Keith Svendsen, an influential figure in the port operations industry and CEO of APM Terminals- one of the world’s largest port operators. We discussed the extensive networks of APM Terminals and how they overcome the logistical challenges in over 40 countries while ensuring constant and efficient global commerce. Furthermore, we also talked about how efficient ports transport goods and significantly contribute to national economies by lowering trade costs and fueling international competitiveness. Lastly, Keith advised young and mid-stage professionals on what helped him most in his career.
Listen to the full discussion here:
Connect with the Guest:
Keith Svendsen was appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of APM Terminals on July 1, 2022.
Before his role as CEO of APM Terminals, Keith Svendsen held several leadership positions across the Maersk Group, across several businesses in Denmark, Italy, the United Kingdom, Turkey, China, and The Netherlands. Most recently, Keith served as Chief Operating Officer in APM Terminals (2017 – 2022) and Head of Operational Execution for Maersk Line (2012 – 2017). Keith joined A.P. Moller-Maersk as a sea-going cadet to become a master mariner.
Questions I Asked:
- From a sea going cadet to CEO
- Why are ports the lifelines of global trade and economic prosperity? And a case study from Costa Rica
- What are some of the challenges and opportunities when operating a ports business?
- How do you attract young talents to the industry?
- What makes you most proud as a leader in APM Terminals?
- What advice would you give young or mid-stage professionals in building their careers?
Show notes:
- [01:23] What were some of the key inflection points in your career that shaped you?
- [03:32] Do you have one or two examples of where APM went and developed the board and the whole community flourished?
- [08:49] There are many countries where people don’t necessarily want to work in a port-type environment. What do you think about this? How are you planning to address some of these challenges?
- [13:33] How do you attract young, talented people to the industry to make a difference?
- [22:14] What makes you most proud as the organization’s leader, specifically when you walk into the office or an APM Terminals setup?
- [24:00] If you were to give some pieces of advice to younger professionals or mid-stage professionals in their careers, what helped you most be successful? What would that advice be?
Quotes from the Episode:
Soundbite from the Episode:
About the Host:
I hope you enjoyed this interview with Keith Svendsen as much as I did. I am your host, Radu Palamariu, Managing Director of Alcott Global for APAC and Europe, working on C-level and top management executive search assignments with Top Fortune 500 companies and local conglomerates in value chains for manufacturing, logistics, transportation, supply chain management, and e-commerce and also the co-author of “From Source to Sold – Stories of Leadership in Supply Chain”.
Alcott Global provides Executive Search Solutions for key positions at all pillars of the end-to-end value chain: planning, procurement, manufacturing, logistics, e-commerce, and overall supply chain operations.
In our Makers & Movers face-to-face events, we bring together value chain executives to connect, collaborate, and innovate – a forum focused on business value creation.
Yearly, we celebrate and award the Top 30 Leaders in Supply Chain for their achievements in digitizing operations, decarbonization, and sustainability, as well as in creating a diverse and equitable environment for supply chain teams to thrive and excel.
Related Episodes:
#170: How to Beat Distractions and Create a Focused Work Environment
#171: Managing Supply Chain in a Spin-Off and Navigating Purpose in Consumer Health
