T-Systems appoints new leader to cut ties with major American tech firms
On September 1, 2025, German technology provider T-Systems announced significant changes in its leadership team. Christine Knackfuß-Nikolic was appointed as the Chief Sovereignty Officer, and Andreas Schlegel joined as the Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer.
Knackfuß-Nikolic transitions from her role as Chief Technology Officer, focusing exclusively on defining and implementing sovereignty strategies. Her responsibilities include addressing customer-specific, regulatory, and geopolitical requirements, further strengthening T-Systems' commitment to sovereignty in the digital landscape.
Schlegel brings extensive strategic expertise from his previous roles at Deutsche Telekom AG and Bain & Company. His appointment as Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer underscores T-Systems' dedication to strategic growth and transformation.
T-Systems' sovereignty offering focuses on compliance capabilities rather than infrastructure independence. This approach aligns with broader European infrastructure investment trends and the European Commission's priority on regulatory frameworks over infrastructure investment.
The appointment of Knackfuß-Nikolic and Schlegel comes at a critical time for digital sovereignty in Europe. The Digital Services Act became fully operational on February 17, 2024, and European governments are implementing comprehensive digital identity systems, creating opportunities for European technology providers like T-Systems.
However, the path to digital sovereignty is not without challenges. Systematic abuse of Digital Services Act mechanisms has highlighted implementation challenges, and the proposed Digital Fairness Act has raised concerns within the European advertising industry. Microsoft executives acknowledged they cannot protect French data from US government access during Senate testimony on June 10, 2025, further emphasising the need for robust digital sovereignty measures.
In response to these challenges, T-Systems' role in developing privacy-preserving technologies positions the company as a leader in "privacy by design" architectures. This commitment is evident in the company's recent launch of an independent European search index by Ecosia, aimed at reducing American platform dependency.
As T-Systems continues to navigate the complex landscape of digital sovereignty, Knackfuß-Nikolic and Schlegel's appointments underscore the company's commitment to shaping the future of digital sovereignty in Europe. Their expertise and focus on compliance capabilities will undoubtedly play a crucial role in ensuring T-Systems remains at the forefront of digital sovereignty solutions.
Meanwhile, regulatory developments continue to shape the digital landscape. Denmark adopted the first EU AI Act implementation legislation on May 8, 2025, and Dutch regulators concluded cookie banner investigations without penalties after compliance implementation. The European Commission defended the Digital Services Act against censorship allegations on August 28, 2025, further demonstrating the ongoing importance of regulatory frameworks in shaping the digital future.
In this evolving digital landscape, T-Systems' focus on digital sovereignty, led by Knackfuß-Nikolic and Schlegel, positions the company as a key player in shaping the future of Europe's digital identity.
