SAP has a new succession plan

However, similar things were heard a year ago, when SAP presented Renjen as the new man for the top of the supervisory board. Plattner’s farewell to the big SAP stage is bumpy. The Berlin-born manager, who celebrated his 80th birthday on January 21, 2024, founded SAP in 1972 together with his colleagues Claus Wellenreuther, Hans-Werner Hector, Klaus Tschira, and Dietmar Hopp.

Plattner has been chairman of SAP’s supervisory board for two decades, which has repeatedly given rise to criticism in recent years. For the man who controls SAP strategy from behind the scenes, internal rules did not seem to apply: The term of office of the chairman of the supervisory board at SAP was supposed to be limited to 12 years, with the person holding the post not older than 75 years.

Difficult search

The search for a successor had been difficult, Plattner told German newspaper Handelsblatt a year ago, explaining his decision to remain at SAP. Initially, the company wanted to appoint an internal candidate, but this plan fell through, he told the paper. The search among former SAP top managers also did not work out. Then, after a long search, a suitable candidate for Plattner’s successor was finally presented in the form of former Deloitte CEO Renjen.

But this was obviously not a lucky hand in Walldorf, as the latest reversal now proves. In any case, there can be no talk of a structured transition at the top of the supervisory board, of which Plattner spoke on the occasion of Renjen’s nomination a year ago in order to ensure the necessary continuity for the further growth of our company. At the same time, the German software company needs stability on the supervisory board right now. SAP is undergoing the most fundamental strategic change in its history, it has been said again and again from the ranks of the management.

Ala-Pietilä will now have to ensure that calm returns to SAP’s supervisory board and that the turning point with Plattner’s departure takes place as smoothly as possible.

The Finn politely thanked SAP’s supervisory board and Plattner for “the opportunity to rejoin this dynamic European technology leader at such a pivotal time.” SAP has been setting the global standard in enterprise technology for over 50 years and continues to be a pioneer in developing relevant, reliable, and responsible AI solutions for enterprises to fundamentally change the way business is done, he said. “I look forward to working together with colleagues old and new to build on SAP’s track record of delivering revolutionary technology that drives real results.”