SAP Asia Pacific Japan continues to be recognized as SAP’s global growth engine
Singapore — SINGAPORE— Nov. 14, 2007 — SAP Asia Pacific Japan today announced the appointment of Mr. Mark Gibbs as President & CEO, SAP North Asia, reporting directly to Geraldine McBride, SAP Asia Pacific Japan’s President and CEO.
Gibbs joins SAP from Oracle where he was senior vice president of applications for Oracle’s Asia Pacific Division. Effective immediately, Gibbs will be responsible for all aspects of SAP’s operations in North Asia, including China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Korea, with SAP’s Greater China Managing Director, Lee Boon Lee and SAP’s Korea Managing Director, EN Han, reporting to him. The appointment of Gibbs comes as SAP continues to grow at double-digit levels across the Region, driven by strong adoption of SAP business software, by customers of all types. (See SAP APJ Q3 performance press release).
“Mark’s decision to join SAP is further evidence of our ability to attract world-class talent, as we drive towards our vision of dramatically increasing market penetration throughout the Asia Pacific Japan region by 2010,” said Geraldine McBride, President and CEO, SAP Asia Pacific Japan. “SAP has the industry’s most compelling vision for customers and I’m excited Mark understands our potential in the region and has agreed to join.
Gibbs is a 16-year Oracle veteran with more than 12 years in the Asia Pacific region. He was previously responsible for all aspects of Oracle’s applications business across Asia Pacific, including sales, marketing and field operations. Prior to his current applications role, Gibbs was in charge of Oracle’s Financial Services Industry group in Asia Pacific and served as the Chair of Oracle’s Global FSI Board. Before joining Oracle, Gibbs was Financial Controller at Unilever Corporation in London.
“I’m taking over the leadership reins in North Asia at an extremely exciting time for SAP Asia Pacific Japan. This region continues to be recognized as SAP’s global growth engine and I am very happy to play a key role in taking that position forward,” said Gibbs. “North Asia is already driving a great deal of the Region’s growth, but there is still much more we can contribute. SAP is a true applications powerhouse in this region and I am confident we can continue to significantly enhance our market leadership position in North Asia.”
SAP North Asia veteran moves to SAP Ambassador role
As the next generation of leadership joins SAP’s North Asia operations, McBride also took time to recognize the departure of Klaus Zimmer, Chairman of SAP North Asia.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to Klaus Zimmer for more than 10 years of dedicated service in the Region,” said McBride. “Klaus has indicated that after building SAP North Asia into the powerhouse that it is today, he wishes to have more time to pursue his personal interests. The great news for SAP is that Klaus has agreed to an ambassadorial role with us, as we continue to build on the foundation he helped us create.”
For more information, press only:
Ben Wightman, SAP, +65 6768-6493, ben.wightman@sap.com, GMT +8
Jocelyn Penque, Burson-Marsteller, +65 6829-9341, jocelyn.penque@bm.com, GMT +8
