Forto’s Logistics Pulse Quarterly report (Quarter 2, 2025)

Chris Braun is VP Global Operations at Forto, where he oversees operations across Air, Sea and Rail Freight. In this role, he focuses on building reliable, scalable and customer-oriented operational structures across all modes, working closely with Operations, Commercial, Trade & Pricing, Product and cross-functional teams.

Chris joined Forto in May 2022. In his previous role as Director Air Freight, he led the Air Freight organization across Europe and Asia. With more than 25 years of experience in freight forwarding and a strong operational background, he has built his career through several leadership roles, always staying close to the day-to-day business, the teams and the customer reality.

His background is deeply rooted in Air Freight, including consolidation, time-critical solutions and charter operations. Over the years, he has developed a strong focus on troubleshooting, stabilizing complex operational situations and finding pragmatic solutions under pressure. As VP Global Operations, he brings this hands-on mindset into a broader multimodal environment, with the ambition to strengthen operational excellence, improve collaboration and create sustainable service quality across the organization.

Originally from Berlin, Chris spent more than two decades in Frankfurt/Main, close to one of Europe’s key Air Freight hubs. His role has taken him across the globe, connecting teams, customers and partners in dynamic and demanding environments. He thrives in high-performance settings and enjoys motivating experienced teams with a cooperative, direct and team-oriented leadership style.

Outside of work, Chris recharges through renovation projects and pursues his passion for aviation, including building his own flight simulator at home.

Stefan Hartmann led the Asia-Europe trade at Forto, bringing over 25 years of experience in global logistics. Before joining Forto, he held key trade management roles at Panalpina, Geodis, and Hellmann, overseeing Asia-Europe operations at both country and regional levels.

His career spans major industry events, from the 2008 financial crisis to the Red Sea disruptions in 2024, giving him deep expertise in navigating global trade challenges.

Renate is a marketing leader with over 20 years of experience, passionate about the power of communication, AI, and collaboration in driving business success. As Director of Marketing at Forto, she shapes strategy, brand positioning, and digital transformation. She is driven by a mission to make marketing more impactful, leveraging innovation and clear messaging to create meaningful connections.