swissnet Group, a leading provider of ICT, network and innovative technology solutions, has announced that Stefan Gubeli will assume the role of Group CEO effective 1 January 2027. The leadership change comes as the company prepares for its 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 will see Gubeli and current Group CEO Jonathan Sauppe jointly lead the company, with Sauppe stepping down from his operational role on 1 March 2027.
The appointment of Gubeli brings extensive leadership experience to swissnet Group. He has more than twenty years of experience 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. 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.
The transition is designed to maintain continuity for employees, customers, partners and shareholders. “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,” said Jonathan Sauppe, Group CEO 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.”
Sauppe’s departure from operational management marks the end of a tenure in which he played a key role in shaping the development and transformation of the Group, advancing important strategic initiatives and building swissnet Group into the organisation it is today. Following his departure, he will remain closely associated with the company on a long-term basis under a multi-year contractual agreement, continuing as an advisor and shareholder, contributing his experience, network and extensive knowledge of the company.
swissnet Group is an international provider of Managed Network, Security, Wi-Fi, UCC, Video and Digital Experience solutions for enterprises, service providers and public-sector organisations. With innovative technologies, proprietary platforms and many years of industry expertise, swissnet supports its customers in the digitalisation of their IT, communications and network infrastructures. In addition, the Group is increasingly developing specialised AI, computer vision and automation solutions for industrial and critical infrastructure applications. The leadership change positions swissnet Group to accelerate its strategic priorities under Gubeli’s guidance.
