Asciano's newly appointed CEO John Mullen.

Transport infrastructure giant Asciano made a shock announcement this week that it will replace its MD and CEO Mark Rowsthorn with newly appointed John Mullen. Rowsthorn has led the company since its demerger from the Toll Group in 2007.

John Mullen, a previous CEO of DHL Express, takes over on 14 February.

According to chairman Malcolm Broomhead, the announcement comes after the company reached several key milestones in 2010 including its refinancing, restructuring and repositioning.

Mullen has had extensive experience in the transport and logistics arena. Most recently, he was global CEO of DHL Express from 2006 to 2009 and joint CEO in 2005. Before then, he was CEO of DHL Express Asia Pacific and held senior positions with the TNT Group for 10 years.

Broomhead thanked Rowsthorn for his contribution and acknowledged his success in steering Asciano through a significant period of change.

"He has lived and breathed Asciano for four years and was a key part of the Toll Group before the separation to form Asciano.