swissnet Group, a leading provider of ICT, network and innovative technology solutions, has announced that Stefan Gubeli will assume the position of Group CEO effective 1 January 2027. The leadership change comes as the company sets its course for the next phase of development, with a focus on further integrating its group companies and achieving sustainable, profitable growth. To ensure a seamless transition, a two-month period is planned during which Stefan Gubeli and current Group CEO Jonathan Sauppe will jointly lead the company. Sauppe will step down from his operational role effective 1 March 2027 but will remain closely associated with swissnet Group as an advisor and shareholder under a multi-year contractual agreement.
The appointment of Gubeli brings to swissnet Group more than twenty years of leadership experience in building, transforming and scaling technology companies. Since 2023, he has served as CEO of SCHENK Systeme AG, a provider of cloud-based software and SaaS solutions. Prior to that, from 2013 to 2022, he was Managing Director of BiCA (Schweiz) AG, Managing Director of BiCA (Austria) GmbH and COO of the BiCA Group, with operational responsibility for the Group’s companies across Europe and the United States. During that time, he transformed the company from a hardware provider into a cloud-based SaaS provider. In parallel, from 2017 to 2022, he founded and led CiRRUSOFT Inc., his own cloud company in Silicon Valley. Throughout his career, he has been involved in several M&A transactions and has served on the boards of several companies.
“I am very much looking forward to this role and would like to thank the Board of Directors for its trust. swissnet Group and its companies have a strong foundation - together with the management team, I intend to bring them closer together and drive their profitable development,” said Stefan Gubeli, designated Group CEO of swissnet Group. Jonathan Sauppe, current Group CEO, added, “With Stefan Gubeli, we have found a strong successor to lead the company. The joint transition period will enable us to hand over responsibilities in a structured manner while ensuring the necessary continuity for our employees, customers, partners and shareholders. I look forward to working closely with Stefan over the coming months and to continuing to support the further development of swissnet Group.”
Urs van Stiphout, Chairman of the Board of Directors of swissnet Group, commented, “The Board of Directors is pleased to welcome Stefan Gubeli, an experienced executive, to swissnet Group. At the same time, we would like to thank Jonathan Sauppe for his significant contribution to building the Group and are pleased that he will remain closely associated with swissnet Group as an advisor and shareholder.” The Board expressed sincere appreciation for Sauppe’s exceptional commitment and many years of dedication, noting that he played a key role in shaping the development and transformation of the Group, advanced important strategic initiatives and made a significant contribution to building swissnet Group into the organisation it is today.
This leadership transition matters because it positions swissnet Group to accelerate its strategic and operational development under new leadership while maintaining continuity through Sauppe’s continued involvement as an advisor and shareholder. Gubeli’s track record in transforming companies and driving cloud-based growth aligns with swissnet Group’s focus on innovative technology solutions, including specialised AI, computer vision and automation solutions for industrial and critical infrastructure applications. The move underscores the company’s commitment to long-term value creation and could signal further consolidation and expansion in the ICT and managed network services sector. For stakeholders, the structured handover and Sauppe’s ongoing advisory role provide stability, while Gubeli’s experience is expected to steer the Group toward greater integration and profitability.
