New PCG CEO: Dr. Roger Kehl Sets Strategic Focus on Enterprise AI, Data, and Cyber Security
New PCG CEO: Dr. Roger Kehl Sets Strategic Focus on Enterprise AI, Data, and Cyber Security
Public Cloud Group (PCG) announces the appointment of Dr. Roger Kehl as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective October 1, 2026. Leveraging his extensive experience in executive and CIO roles, he will drive PCG’s strategic direction with a clear focus on Enterprise AI, Data, and Cyber Security, alongside verticalization through industry-specific cloud solutions.
Values-Driven Leadership: A Strong Cultural Fit
A central factor in this CEO appointment was cultural alignment. Roger Kehl represents a management style based on empowerment, trust, and open communication. His approach—that every good idea deserves to be heard—directly reflects PCG’s core values. For Roger Kehl, the knowledge, experience, and motivation of the experts are the most important resources for creating a work environment that directly translates into the highest levels of customer satisfaction.
“PCG offers an environment where technological excellence and a strong, values-driven culture intersect,” says Dr. Roger Kehl, CEO of Public Cloud Group. “My goal is to create spaces where our colleagues can reach their full potential. Only with a strong, motivated team can we support our customers as true partners on equal footing and offer them long-term value. I am excited about the new paths we will forge together.”
From Cloud Journey to AI Journey
Together with the existing management team—Managing Directors Benny Woletz (CTO), Hüseyin Tastan (CFO), and David Müller (COO), alongside the VP leadership of Alina Schneider (VP Strategy & Brand) and Philipp Richter (VP Sales & Alliances)—Roger Kehl is systematically evolving the customer Cloud Journey into an AI Journey. While flexible multi-cloud strategies and sovereign hyperscaler platforms remain the foundation, Artificial Intelligence will become the decisive factor for future business success.
This is exactly where PCG’s key differentiator lies: a comprehensive portfolio where every individual area is strengthened through AI enablement and seamlessly integrated into existing platforms. The technology only unfolds its full potential when these areas work in concert.
“The hyperscalers provide the robust foundation, but in the future, AI will determine how successfully and innovatively a company operates in the market,” explains Benny Woletz, CTO at PCG. “With Roger’s sales and go-to-market power, we are completing our executive board. Together, we are taking the decisive step to not only move our customers to the cloud but to make their systems intelligent and future-proof through deep AI integration.”
The Foundation of the AI Journey: Strategic Expansion of Data and Cyber Security
To fully cover the customers’ Cloud and AI Journey, PCG, under Roger Kehl’s leadership, will focus on strong organic and inorganic growth in two key areas: Data and Cyber Security.
When implementing AI, many companies overlook the fact that their data is usually not yet “AI-ready.” However, for the future of autonomously acting AI—beyond manually triggered processes—a highly structured data foundation is essential. Simultaneously, AI drastically intensifies the threat landscape in cyber security, as automated attacks become increasingly fast and aggressive.
“Data and Cyber Security are the indispensable pillars of any successful AI Journey,” explains Dr. Roger Kehl. “Without professional Master Data Management as a baseline, there is no reliable, autonomous AI. And without uncompromising cyber defense, there can be no secure business operations in the face of AI-driven threats. We will strategically expand these core areas to offer our customers tailored end-to-end solutions for a secure and innovative digital future.”
Verticalization Through a Genuine Customer Perspective
Through his nearly seven-year tenure as CIO at Festo, Roger Kehl also brings a profound customer perspective to PCG. Hailing from an industrial environment serving more than 300,000 customers across diverse sectors such as automotive, biotechnology, and electromobility, he possesses deep insights into varied market mechanisms. Kehl knows the specific needs, processes, and complex requirements of globally operating industrial enterprises from firsthand experience. This solid understanding of the real challenges on the customer side will continue to drive PCG’s verticalization strategy. Alongside the already strongly established industries of Financial Services (FSI), Independent Software Vendors (ISV), and Retail & Fashion, PCG plans the targeted expansion of further verticals in Manufacturing, Health, and Energy.
“Roger’s background as a CIO on the customer side is incredibly valuable to us,” adds David Müller, COO of PCG. “He knows exactly at which intersections we, as a Trusted Advisor for Cloud and Enterprise AI, need to engage to not just provide technology, but to act as partners generating real strategic value tailored to the specific requirements of different industries.”
About Public Cloud Group (PCG)
Public Cloud Group (PCG) is a leading partner for Cloud and Enterprise AI in Europe. The company supports mid-market and enterprise customers, systematically evolving the traditional Cloud Journey into a holistic AI Journey.
Building on the strong foundation of the relevant hyperscalers (AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft) and sovereign European cloud solutions, PCG seamlessly integrates forward-looking Artificial Intelligence across its entire portfolio—from Cloud Infrastructure, Modern Work, and Security to Cloud-native Development, SAP Cloud Services, and intelligent Managed Cloud Operations (MCO).
With over 400 Cloud and AI experts across numerous European locations, PCG empowers more than 1,150 customers to generate genuine business value, efficiency, and sustainable innovation through technological excellence.
VP Strategy & Brand
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