Deesch Papke returns as CEO of Porsche Middle East and Africa FZE

Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, has appointed Deesch Papke as Chief Executive Officer of the wholly owned subsidiary importer organisation, Porsche Middle East and Africa FZE, effective as of June.

Prior to his most recent role as Head of Porsche China
held from July 2013, Papke was responsible for the Region Overseas and Emerging Markets with Porsche AG in Germany. From 2005 to 2011 he was the Managing Director of Porsche's Middle East and Africa office and oversaw a period of exponential growth for the organisation. Papke succeeds Christer Ekberg who moves back to Porsche Asia Pacific in Singapore with a new function.

As CEO, operating from Porsche's regional office in Dubai, South Africa-born Papke will be responsible for driving the brand's growth across 23 countries in the GCC, Levant, Africa and India. Key to this will be ensuring that Porsche's exceptional standards of professionalism are maintained across the regional network, focusing on market penetration and enhancing existing facilities.

"I return to the region at a challenging time with the global economy still in recovery and some areas of the Middle East facing internal as well as external difficulties. Despite this, I believe we are in a strong position to move forward and there are various opportunities upon which we can further develop the Porsche business. We have excellent business partners to work with in our region and I look forward to utilising my experience, gained most recently in Germany and China, to further build upon Porsche's exceptional name in the region," said Papke.

Starting his career in management roles for Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Land Rover as well as for Volvo in South Africa and Russia, Papke has acquired many years of multi-market and brand experience within the global automotive sector. His first role with Porsche came as the Managing Director of the Middle East and Africa subsidiary in 2005, where Papke oversaw the extensive development of the regional operation.

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