Who Founded GXO?

Malcolm Wilson · Founded 2021 · HQ today: Greenwich, Connecticut

Who founded GXO?

GXO was founded by Malcolm Wilson in 2021 in Greenwich, United States. It is now led by Patrick Kelleher.

Founders: Malcolm Wilson
Founded: 2021
Headquarters: Greenwich, Connecticut
Number of founders: 1
Current CEO: Patrick Kelleher (since 2025)

Where was GXO founded?: GXO was founded in Greenwich, United States in 2021. wikidata.org
When was GXO founded?: GXO was founded in 2021.
Who started GXO?: GXO was founded by Malcolm Wilson.
How old is GXO?: GXO is 5 years old as of 2026.

Founding Story

GXO came out of XPO Logistics, the company Brad Jacobs built from 2011 through a long series of acquisitions, including Norbert Dentressangle in 2015 and Con-way in 2015, which brought large European and US contract logistics operations. In 2021 XPO separated its warehousing business so investors could value it independently of trucking. GXO began trading on the NYSE as an independent company on August 2, 2021, with Jacobs as chairman and Malcolm Wilson, previously head of XPO's European operations, as CEO.

Malcolm Wilson

Co-founder 2021

Background

Malcolm Wilson led XPO's European business and became GXO's first CEO at the August 2021 spin-off, overseeing the Clipper, PFSweb and Wincanton acquisitions before Patrick Kelleher succeeded him in August 2025.

Role at GXO Logistics, Inc.

GXO has no founder in the startup sense. It was carved out of XPO Logistics, which Brad Jacobs built from 2011 by buying Express-1 Expedited Solutions and then acquiring logistics companies such as Norbert Dentressangle and Con-way. XPO spun off its contract logistics division as GXO on August 2, 2021, with Jacobs as chairman and Malcolm Wilson as CEO. Wilson ran GXO through its first four years as a public company. (Exact birth year remains publicly undisclosed).

GXO Logistics, Inc.: CEO & Leadership History

Full timeline →

Patrick Kelleher

Chief Executive Officer

2025 – Present

Under Kelleher, GXO reported record 2025 revenue of $13.2 billion and its strongest new business quarter in three years in Q2 2026.

Malcolm Wilson

Former Chief Executive Officer

2021 – 2025

Revenue grew from $7.9 billion in 2021 to $11.7 billion in 2024 during his tenure.

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Who Founded GXO? FAQ

How was GXO Logistics founded and what was the corporate lineage behind its creation?

GXO Logistics was officially created and spun off from XPO Logistics on August 2, 2021. The contract logistics foundation was built over decades through XPO's strategic acquisitions of European logistics leader Norbert Dentressangle (2015) and American supply chain pioneer New Breed Logistics (2014).

What was the strategic rationale of XPO Logistics spinning off GXO in August 2021?

XPO founder Brad Jacobs recognized that pure-play contract logistics and pure-play freight transportation (less-than-truckload trucking) had distinct business models, customer procurement cycles, and investor bases. Spinning off GXO unlocked shareholder value by creating a focused, high-growth global contract logistics pure-play.

How did the 2015 acquisition of Norbert Dentressangle form the European foundation of GXO?

In 2015, XPO acquired French logistics leader Norbert Dentressangle for $3.5 billion, securing hundreds of prime European warehousing facilities, a large logistics customer roster in the UK and France, and seasoned logistics leadership including future GXO then-CEO Malcolm Wilson.

How did the 2014 acquisition of New Breed Logistics establish GXO's North American technology capabilities?

XPO acquired New Breed Logistics for $615 million in 2014, securing high-tech contract logistics facilities, defense clearance certifications, and proprietary warehouse management software that served technology and aerospace leaders like Apple and Boeing.

Where does the name 'GXO' originate and what is its symbolic meaning?

The name 'GXO' represents 'Game-Changing Opportunities', symbolizing the company's founding mission to transform global supply chains through advanced automation, technology, and superior operational execution.

When did GXO begin public trading on the New York Stock Exchange?

GXO Logistics began regular-way trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol 'GXO' on August 2, 2021, immediately joining the ranks of major publicly traded supply chain technology companies.

What foundational technological assets did GXO inherit upon its independence?

Upon spin-off, GXO inherited a high-quality technology stack including proprietary machine-learning labor management software (GXO Smart), direct integrations with leading robotics manufacturers, and an experienced team of over 100,000 logistics professionals.

How did the founding vision position GXO at the intersection of e-commerce and robotics?

The founding thesis positioned GXO to capture the convergence of three powerful macroeconomic tailwinds: the rapid growth of omnichannel e-commerce, the critical need for warehouse automation to combat labor shortages, and corporate supply chain outsourcing.

Who founded GXO?

While GXO was a corporate spin-off, its true founder is Brad Jacobs. Jacobs is a legendary rollup artist who built massive billion-dollar companies in waste management and equipment rental before buying a tiny trucking broker in 2011 (XPO), aggressively buying dozens of logistics companies, and eventually spinning out the massive warehouse division as GXO.

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