Factoring firm DS-Concept has announced a number of changes in its senior executive team.

René Pastor, previously senior executive vice-president, global business development, has been promoted to president, global commercial operations – a newly-created position. He continues to report to Ansgar Hütten, CEO and executive director, and will oversee all commercial, account management and marketing activities.

Pastor joined DS-Concept in 2007 and has more than 15 years of experience in trade financing and insurance.

Chris Chang, previously CEO for the US and China, has been promoted to CEO, head of global sales. He joined DS-Concept seven years ago after 10 years at ITOCHU Corporation,

John Stillwaggon, previously senior vice-president of sales in the New York office, has been made managing director of the US, where he will be responsible for general management and commercial performance of the region. He continues to advise and partner with the head office in Germany on the company’s global strategy.

He has been with DS-Concept for over four years, and previously worked at Coface.

Charles Doc Lundberg, who joined DS-Concept at the start of 2016 as vice-president of sales, has been promoted to senior vice-president. He will continue to expand DS-Concept’s network in the Western US, as well as focus on opportunities provided by the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

Brian Dowd, previously assistant vice-president of business development, has been promoted effective immediately to vice-president.

Before joining DS-Concept, he worked as assistant vice-president of business development at FGI, a New York-based trade finance and factoring firm.

Finally, Peter Maerevoet is joining the company as chief financial officer chief human resources officer, another newly-created role. He started his career at Procter & Gamble in Belgium before joining Levi Strauss & Co, where he held various responsibilities in supply chain finance for 10 years.