On 26 March, the Administrative Board of GFT Technologies SE appointed Marco Santos as the new CEO of the Group. The 48-year-old will assume the position on 1 July 2024 and will initially lead GFT as co-CEO alongside Marika Lulay until the end of the year. Marika Lulay (61) will leave the Group’s Board after her contract expires on 31 December 2024. In addition, Jochen Ruetz (56), the current CFO of GFT, will extend his duties to include the role of Deputy CEO from 1 January 2025.
Santos has held leadership positions at GFT since 2011. Initially, he was the Country Manager for GFT Brazil, and then he led the company’s operations in Latin America. In 2020, he also took over responsibility for GFT USA and was appointed to the Board of GFT Group. During this period, he oversaw a rapid growth phase, especially for GFT Brazil. In 2023, he was promoted to CEO GFT Americas, directing operations in North America and Latin America.
Ulrich Dietz, Chairman of the Administrative Board at GFT Technologies, said: “Marco Santos is a guarantor of growth and innovation. He has proven this many times in his career at GFT, both in North and Latin America. He built strong teams and opened new markets. He consistently capitalizes on the potential of new technologies such as artificial intelligence for the benefit of GFT and our clients.”
“I would like to thank the Administrative Board for their trust, and I look forward to shaping the future of GFT Technologies as CEO,” says Marco Santos. “The growth of GFT in recent years shows the enormous potential of our strong team of over 12,000 talents across 20 key markets. Our goal is therefore clear – we are steering the company towards a changing future.”
The Administrative Board has also appointed Jochen Ruetz, CFO of GFT, as Deputy CEO. He has extensive experience in capital markets and business and has been CFO of GFT Technologies SE since 2003. The Administrative Board has extended Jochen Ruetz’s contract until 31 December 2029.
“Over the last two decades, Jochen Ruetz has been a key figure contributing to the success and professionalism of GFT,” says Ulrich Dietz. “His solid financial knowledge, leadership skills, and strategic foresight are fundamental to a new era of growth. He is thus predestined to take on the role of Deputy CEO.”
Ulrich Dietz also praised outgoing CEO, Marika Lulay, for her role in the company over the past 20 years, initially as COO and then as CEO. “She, along with our team, has developed GFT into a leading and recognized company worldwide. The extremely successful international expansion is largely due to Marika Lulay’s strategy. The Administrative Board would like to thank her for her unconditional commitment. With Marco Santos and Jochen Ruetz, we found a perfect succession plan that emphasizes continuity and our ambitions for further growth. I am confident that GFT will continue to develop successfully with the new team,” says Dietz.
