Sofigate appoints a new CEO to boost growth
Press release 17 January 2014
Sofigate, a company specializing in ICT management and development, has appointed Sami Karkkila as its new CEO. Karkkila joins Sofigate from IT solutions and services provider Atos. The appointment is in line with Sofigate’s strategy to grow to be an international company with 750 staff members by the end of the decade.
Sami Karkkila, 41, starts as new CEO of Sofigate Oy and Sofigate Group Oy on 20 January. Karkkila has a proven track record in working in executive positions and developing international business operations during his time at TeliaSonera, Logica and Atos where he acted as Head of Sales in Finland and Head of Manufacturing, Retail and Sales in the Nordics. To fill the position of CEO, Sofigate wanted a professional executive with the skills and vision to lead the company towards strong growth and international success in the coming years.
Sofigate’s goal is to grow into an international powerhouse of 750 employees and 100 million euros in annual revenue by the end of the decade. The company’s aim is to develop the Finnish ICT management competence into a successful export and it predicts a significant growth in acquiring management as a service. As a central factor in achieving this goal, Sofigate is placing great importance on its strategic partnerships with ie. Atos, Fujitsu, and Wipro in which Sofigate’s management expertise is joined by the services of each of these global IT companies.
“Sofigate’s goal to grow into an internationally successful company is challenging and exciting. I start in the new position knowing that together with our staff, clients, and partners we have every chance of succeeding. Efficient, business oriented ICT management is a hot topic in companies right now and will gain even more importance in the future. Companies are starting to buy management as a service, and Sofigate already has clients that have fully outsourced their ICT management”, Sami Karkkila envisions.
Juha Huovinen for Chairman of the Board
Sofigate’s founder and current CEO Juha Huovinen, 45, will become Chairman of the Board of both companies and continue customer work. In his new role, Huovinen can concentrate on strategic projects and customer relationships necessary for Sofigate’s international ambitions.
“A successful transition of CEO’s can be compared to a well-executed passing of the baton in a relay race: Sofigate is doing it in full flight, in a competitive position, and gathering more speed. It is important for me to pass the baton to a true VIP executive: Sami Karkkila combines Values, Inspiration and Professionalism. Strengthening our management and reorganizing roles in this way helps us to reach our vision faster”, Juha Huovinen states.
Contact
Juha Huovinen, tel. +358 40 507 3541, juha.huovinen@sofigate.com
Sami Karkkila, tel. +358 400 805 446, sami.karkkila@sofigate.com
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