WiseTech Global has appointed a loyal lieutenant of its controversial chairman Richard White with almost no chief executive experience to run the $40.2 billion-valued software maker, raising concerns about his ability to stand up to the group’s billionaire founder.

Zubin Appoo was named as the global logistics software giant’s new chief executive after a search for a permanent replacement that lasted more than nine months. He will lead a company where White still holds enormous influence as its executive chair and chief innovation officer.