Swiss International Air Lines’ chief cargo officer, Oliver Evans, is to step down at the end of September 2015, after 13 years, to offer to the industry his services and advice about people development and other future challenges.

Evans, speaking to Air Cargo Week (ACW), explains that he sees the world as changing at an ever faster pace, driven by new technologies, and he cites the Internet as a disruptive technology. “People need to fundamentally change their mindset, governments need to change their mindset, companies need to change their mindset. And as an experienced leader with a lot of ideas I have something that I can give back to our industry, which I love, from a position of self employment.”

He adds that he likes to write, and while there will be no book, he might continue blogging. Evans has had a regular blog with Swiss WorldCargo called Blogistics.

Evans, however, does not see his new direction as working in consultancy. “I don’t like the term comsultancy, but exactly what shape my engagement will take, I  don’t yet know. I want to be self employed and serve the industry. I want to follow my passion of the future and people.”

Evans is also chairman of The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA). an organisation that has put a lot of emphasis on training under his leadership. His term of office comes to an end in May, another reason Evans gives for why he was stepping down from Swiss in September. Talking about TIACA, Evans tells ACW: “I remain convinced [that] the industry needs an association that is open to all of the stakeholder groups, having an equal voice in the development of the industry.”

Evans has been Swiss’ chief cargo officer since the end of 2002. According to the airline: “He has been instrumental in realigning Swiss’ airfreight division to specialise in high-value and care-intensive consignments for the industry and pharmaceuticals sectors. Swiss’ air cargo activities make a major contribution to the company’s present business success.”