DHL global Forwarding has admitted that it had become "overwhelmed by change" as a result of attempts to modernise the business in the last 15 months and has suspended its "transformation" scheme.

"We were too aspirational, changing everything at the same time - the structure, the processes and the software," said Deutsche Post DHL CEO Frank Appel.

After reporting disappointing results this week from the Global Forwarding, Freight division, Mr Appel admitted that the scheme was not working.

The company would now examine the changes it had been making and assess the scheme to understand how to proceed, reported Lloyd's Loading List.

The division has appointed Renato Chiavi as interim CEO following the recent and sudden departure of Roger Crook.

Mr Appel also revealed that he had also enlisted the help of his head of corporate development, who will act as executive vice president of the recovery programme

"We are revisiting how we can really bring the organisation to a situation that they can manage the day-to-day business," he said.