Leo Apotheker has been forced to resign as chief executive of software giant SAP in part due to poor opinion poll ratings from employees. The Financial Times cited falling software licence fees, an unpopular attempt to increase maintenance fees and concerns of a lack of innovation were factors behind the resignation.
‘But above all, a recent employee survey highlighted a loss of trust in SAP’s top management. Only 50 per cent of the company’s employees gave a vote of confidence in the executive board. As a consequence, the supervisory board of Germany’s only software maker of world rank decided that Mr Apotheker would not be the right person to repair battered morale at the company.’
Mr Apotheker will be replaced by two co-leaders, US executive Bill McDermott, and the Dane Jim Hagemann Snabe. Hasso Plattner, co-founder and chairman of the company, will have a more hands-on role as part of the turn-around.