FedEx appoints new APAC president

Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) has appointed Salil Chari (pictured) as president of its Asia Pacific (APAC) region, effective 1 January, 2026.

Chari, who previously served as senior vice president of marketing and customer experience for APAC, succeeds Kawal Preet, who has taken on a new role as executive vice president, planning, engineering, and transformation.

In his new role, Chari will oversee FedEx’s strategic direction across the region and lead a workforce of nearly 30,000 employees. His remit includes driving profitable growth, strengthening customer experience, and advancing operational excellence across APAC.

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In a statement, FedEx said Chari’s appointment reflects the company’s long-standing practice of developing leadership from within. Chari began his career at FedEx in 1997 as a marketing analyst in Memphis, US. He has since held a series of leadership roles across Latin America and the Caribbean, APAC and the Middle East, as well as the Indian Subcontinent and Africa.

FedEx said his experience across multiple markets underscores his focus on customer-centric growth and helping businesses expand their global reach.

“I am excited to welcome Chari as the new president of APAC, marking an exciting new chapter for our APAC business. He brings exceptional multi-regional leadership experience and a passion for delivering value to customers," said Richard Smith, chief operating officer, international and chief executive officer, airline, FedEx.

He added, "With his deep understanding of the region, I am confident he will lead our APAC business to new heights and reinforce the region’s importance to our global growth. Thanks to Preet for her exceptional leadership; she will continue to advance our global transformation efforts."

Speaking on his new role, Chari said, "It is an honour to lead such a talented team in a region that sits at the centre of global trade. APAC is home to some of the world’s most dynamic and fast-evolving trade corridors, creating powerful opportunities for businesses of all sizes to grow and compete globally."

"As we build on our strong foundation, my priority is to strengthen resilience, accelerate growth, and deepen the role FedEx plays as a valued partner for our customers and communities. With the unwavering commitment of our team members who live the 'Purple Promise' every day to make every customer experience outstanding we will continue to connect businesses with new possibilities, drive innovation, and enable global trade in an ever-evolving marketplace," he added. 

Chari’s appointment comes as FedEx continues to highlight its local engagement across the region. In June last year, FedEx Singapore teamed up with immersive media agency Ingage Media to launch its first 3D holographic experience, part of the ongoing “FedEx passport to Europe” campaign. Debuting at Plaza Singapura and later at Raffles City Shopping Centre, the activation used interactive, glasses-free 3D visuals to reimagine how the company engages customers in public spaces.

Shortly after, FedEx Malaysia released a Merdeka Day video titled “Different strangers. One conversation. Endless Malaysian pride”, celebrating the nation’s linguistic diversity and the connections that unite its people. The seven-minute clip, produced by JAP Media, follows strangers sharing candid conversations in each other’s mother tongues, culminating in the surprise reveal of each person’s actual race.

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