Léo Apotheker is the former CEO of SAP. Promoted to co-CEO in 2008 after serving as Deputy CEO, Mr. Apotheker was instrumental in transforming the enterprise software company from a single-product business to a multi-solution provider.
SAP recruited Mr. Apotheker in 1988 to add the French and Belgian markets to the Walldorf, Germany-based organization’s footprint. He left SAP for a brief period but returned in 1995, rapidly rising through the company’s ranks.
After a 22-year run at SAP, Mr. Apotheker was appointed as HP’s President and CEO. He currently is the chairman of KMD AS, Vice-chairman and Lead Director of the board of Schneider Electric, Vice-chairman of the board of Unit4, and serves on the board of NICE Systems.
Mr. Apotheker holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and international relations from Hebrew University in Jerusalem. In 2007 he was awarded the French Légion d’honneur, France’s highest decoration, for his leadership in business and his contributions to the French economy. Fluent in five languages – English, French, German, Dutch, and Hebrew – Mr. Apotheker and his wife Liliane have two children, Mathieu and Jessica.