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 the course for its next phase of development, with a particular focus on further integrating its group companies and achieving sustainable, profitable growth. The appointment matters because it signals a strategic pivot toward consolidation and operational synergy, which could strengthen the group’s competitive position in the technology solutions market.
To ensure an orderly transition, a two-month period is planned during which Stefan Gubeli and current Group CEO Jonathan Sauppe will jointly lead the company. Sauppe will work closely with Gubeli to ensure a structured handover of ongoing operational and strategic matters. Sauppe will step down from his operational role effective 1 March 2027. This continuity is important for employees, customers, partners and shareholders, as it minimizes disruption during the leadership change.
Gubeli brings 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 period, 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,” says Stefan Gubeli, designated Group CEO of swissnet Group. His track record of transforming companies and executing M&A deals suggests he is well-positioned to lead swissnet’s integration efforts.
“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,” says Jonathan Sauppe, Group CEO of swissnet Group.
“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,” says Urs van Stiphout, Chairman of the Board of Directors of swissnet Group.
The Board of Directors expressed its sincere appreciation to Jonathan Sauppe for his exceptional commitment and many years of dedication to swissnet Group. During his time in operational management, 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. Following his departure from operational management, Sauppe will remain closely associated with swissnet Group on a long-term basis. Under a multi-year contractual agreement, he will continue to support the company as an advisor, contributing his experience, network and extensive knowledge of the company. He will also remain a shareholder of swissnet Group.
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 transition is expected to reinforce swissnet’s ability to execute on these strategic priorities.
