SAP CEO Steps Down; Restructures Management
SAP AG announces that the SAP supervisory board has reached a mutual agreement with CEO Leo Apotheker not to extend his contract as a member of the SAP executive board. Leo Apotheker has resigned as CEO and member of the SAP executive board effective immediately.
In his place, the SAP executive board, in agreement with the SAP supervisory board, has appointed two co-CEOs: Bill McDermott, head of field organization and Jim Hagemann Snabe, head of product development, both already members of the SAP executive board.
In addition, Vishal Sikka, chief technology officer, has been appointed to the SAP executive board. At the request of the SAP supervisory board, Hasso Plattner, co-founder of SAP and chairman of the SAP supervisory board, will continue to play a strong role in advising the new leaders on technology and product development.
In his place, the SAP executive board, in agreement with the SAP supervisory board, has appointed two co-CEOs: Bill McDermott, head of field organization and Jim Hagemann Snabe, head of product development, both already members of the SAP executive board.
In addition, Vishal Sikka, chief technology officer, has been appointed to the SAP executive board. At the request of the SAP supervisory board, Hasso Plattner, co-founder of SAP and chairman of the SAP supervisory board, will continue to play a strong role in advising the new leaders on technology and product development.
In support of the recent appointments of Co-CEOs Jim Hagemann Snabe and Bill McDermott, SAP announces subsequent changes to its executive board and management structure. The following decisions were made:
--Gerhard Oswald, executive board member responsible for SAP Global Service & Support, has also been named chief operating officer, replacing Erwin Gunst, who stepped down for health reasons. Oswald's nearly 30-year career at SAP has spanned the areas of support, consulting, education, custom development and quality control. He has been an executive board member since 1996. His contract has been extended until Dec. 31, 2011.
--In addition, Peter Lorenz, executive vice president of Small and Midsize Enterprises (SME), has been named a corporate officer. He will continue to report to Co-CEO Jim Hagemann Snabe, overseeing the development of the SAP portfolio of SME solutions, SAP Business ByDesign, SAP Business One and SAP Business All-in-One.
--The SAP supervisory board has accepted the resignation of John Schwarz, member of the executive board responsible for SAP BusinessObjects, Ecosystem & Corporate Development, effective immediately.
--Gerhard Oswald, executive board member responsible for SAP Global Service & Support, has also been named chief operating officer, replacing Erwin Gunst, who stepped down for health reasons. Oswald's nearly 30-year career at SAP has spanned the areas of support, consulting, education, custom development and quality control. He has been an executive board member since 1996. His contract has been extended until Dec. 31, 2011.
--In addition, Peter Lorenz, executive vice president of Small and Midsize Enterprises (SME), has been named a corporate officer. He will continue to report to Co-CEO Jim Hagemann Snabe, overseeing the development of the SAP portfolio of SME solutions, SAP Business ByDesign, SAP Business One and SAP Business All-in-One.
--The SAP supervisory board has accepted the resignation of John Schwarz, member of the executive board responsible for SAP BusinessObjects, Ecosystem & Corporate Development, effective immediately.