1. SAP appointed Sebastian Steinhaeuser to lead Strategy & Operations for efficiency. 2. A new Extended Board is formed to align SAP's AI-first strategy. 3. New CTO and CROs are in place to improve customer engagement. 4. Key leaders have extended contracts, ensuring strategic continuity. 5. Leadership changes aim to enhance innovation and drive cloud transition.
Leadership changes signal strategic focus and operational efficiency, potentially boosting investor confidence. Past restructuring efforts have led to positive stock performance.
The article outlines significant organizational changes that may enhance operational efficiency and revenue generation, directly impacting SAP's market position.
The strategic initiatives and leadership adjustments are designed for lasting operational success, similar to SAP's previous long-term transformative strategies.
WALLDORF, Germany, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SAP SE (NYSE: SAP) today announced that Sebastian Steinhaeuser (39) has been appointed to join the SAP Executive Board. He will lead a newly formed board area called Strategy & Operations, continuing to support the execution of SAP's strategy and driving simplification in operations. The SAP Supervisory Board also extended the contract of Executive Board Member Thomas Saueressig, head of Customer Services & Delivery, for another three years until 2028.
SAP also announced that it is forming an Extended Board* comprised of senior leaders from across the company, including the newly appointed CTO, Co-CROs and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). The new SAP Extended Board will act as a strategic advisory body, driving execution of the company's AI-first, Suite-first strategy. It will leverage global leadership to align with key initiatives and ensure smooth execution across the organization, while the SAP Executive Board remains the ultimate managing body of SAP SE.
The new Strategy & Operations board area will ensure that SAP continues successfully executing on its transformation journey by driving the company's strategy internally and externally, as well as by simplifying internal operations. Bringing Strategy & Operations together with Global Marketing – led by newly-appointed CMO Ada Agrait – will also promote closer collaboration to deliver customers and partners an enhanced digital experience.
"Since joining in 2020, Sebastian Steinhaeuser has been crucial in shaping and implementing SAP's corporate strategy. We believe that Sebastian is not just a leader, but the architect of a future where innovation meets impact. On behalf of the SAP Supervisory Board, I wish Sebastian a very successful start in his new role," said Pekka Ala-Pietilä, chairman of the Supervisory Board of SAP SE. "Moreover, we are excited to extend our best wishes to Thomas Saueressig for his forthcoming term on the SAP Executive Board. His contributions have been instrumental in accelerating our customers' journey to the cloud, and we look forward to his continued success."
After joining SAP in 2020, Steinhaeuser held various positions, including the role of Chief Strategy Officer, where he also ran the growth areas Business Transformation Management, Business Network and Sustainability. In 2024, Steinhaeuser's role expanded to Chief Strategy & Operating Officer, including oversight of business operations, processes and IT, as well as ecosystem and commercial functions. Prior to joining SAP, Steinhaeuser worked with the Boston Consulting Group, where he supported companies in their corporate and digital transformation journeys.
SAP is also announcing a new CTO and new CROs. Philipp Herzig will take on the role of SAP's global CTO, in addition to his current position as Chief AI Officer. In this role, he will oversee SAP's technology strategy, innovation, research and corporate development, driving the ongoing success of SAP's Business AI and Sustainability units while continuing to advance innovation for SAP customers and partners.
Jan Gilg and Emmanuel (Manos) Raptopoulos will co-lead SAP's Customer Success organization as SAP's new CROs. Gilg, currently president and chief product officer for Cloud ERP, will oversee SAP Americas and the Global SAP Business Suite. Raptopoulos, the current regional president of SAP EMEA, will manage the SAP EMEA, MEE and APAC regions. Elevating leadership that combines a strong product background with great sales experience will help SAP engage more deeply with customers to translate their challenges into solutions that ensure sustained success. Herzig, Gilg and Raptopoulos will report into SAP CEO Christian Klein and serve on SAP's Extended Board.
All changes are effective February 1, 2025.
* Members of the Extended Board: Ada Agrait (Chief Marketing Officer), Michael Ameling (General Manager, BTP), Sebastian Behrendt (Head of Global Finance), Jan Gilg (Chief Revenue Officer, Americas & SAP Business Suite), Philipp Herzig (Chief Technology Officer), Thomas Pfiester (Head of Global Customer Engagement), Emmanuel Raptopoulos (Chief Revenue Officer, APAC/EMEA/MEE), General Manager Business Suite (TBA), Monika Schaller (Chief Communications Officer)
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