Carlos Lacerda, as the newly appointed Senior Vice President and General Manager for Southern Europe at SAP SE, is primed to spearhead the next phase of SAP Customer Success.
In the dynamic world of software technology, SAP SE, the multinational software corporation, ushers in a new era. The company recently announced the appointment of Carlos Lacerda as its new Senior Vice President and General Manager for Southern Europe. With the geographical ambit encompassing Greece, Israel, Portugal, Spain, and Turkey, Lacerda’s role assumes paramount importance. He will be steering the SAP Customer Success operations across these diverse nations. A notable challenge, certainly, but one that Lacerda seems more than equipped to undertake.
The Journey to SAP Customer Success
Behind every successful leader, there is a history of professional evolution and growth, and Carlos Lacerda is no exception. His journey to SAP’s upper echelons is indeed a story of consistent progression, punctuated by stints at some of the most recognized names in the tech world. Before becoming a part of the SAP family, Lacerda held a series of senior executive positions within Microsoft EMEA and Asia. These roles spanned an impressive 19-year tenure and fostered in him a deep understanding of business dynamics across different markets.
Beyond the software and technology sector, Lacerda has also been at the helm of various other organizations. His tenure as the CEO for ANA, Portuguese Airports, and Farminveste has contributed to the richness of his executive portfolio. With these diversified experiences, he brings a unique, cross-industry perspective to his leadership style.
Inside the SAP corridors, Lacerda has held roles of significant strategic importance. His most recent involvement was leading the Cloud ERP and RISE with SAP business for SAP EMEA South. During this tenure, he made noteworthy contributions, leading him to secure a position on both the Regional Senior Leadership Team and the SAP Executive Team. His proven expertise and commitment to SAP’s goals are indicative of his readiness to assume larger responsibilities.
A Changing of the Guard: From João Paulo da Silva to Carlos Lacerda
The baton of leadership at SAP’s Southern European operations is now being passed from João Paulo da Silva to Carlos Lacerda. Da Silva, whose illustrious career at SAP spans over 26 years, has chosen to pursue the next chapter of his professional life outside the company. He is slated to take a well-earned respite for a few months, leaving a legacy of accomplishment and dedication at SAP.
This transition opens a new avenue for Lacerda to step up and make his mark. Da Silva’s exemplary tenure at SAP forms a strong platform upon which Lacerda will construct the future roadmap for SAP in Southern Europe. The challenge is significant, but so is the opportunity for Lacerda to steer the company towards new horizons.
SAP at the Forefront of Cloud Innovation
In his new role, Lacerda’s key responsibility is to ensure a seamless transition for customers, partners, and SAP team members. His history of fostering customer success, creating meaningful partnerships, and building high-performing, diverse teams instills confidence in his ability to fulfill this crucial mission. Furthermore, Lacerda’s enthusiasm for Southern Europe, a region known for its creative spirit and innovative business environment, bodes well for his leadership role.
Lacerda’s appointment comes at a time when SAP is set to ‘go all-in’ to deliver customer success in the cloud. With Lacerda leading the charge, the company is poised to advance its cloud initiatives, ensuring that its customers are well-served in their transformation journey. He has already expressed his excitement about leading an excellent team, collaborating with a thriving ecosystem of partners, and driving customer success in their cloud transformation journey with SAP. In a LinkedIn post, Lacerda shared his pride and gratitude for this opportunity, hinting at the start of an exciting chapter.
