TL;DR
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) has vacated its board seat at CISPE, the European cloud trade association.
- The departure comes after a recent amendment that restricts board membership to European-based companies.
- CISPE aims to enhance European sovereignty in cloud services amid rising geopolitical and economic concerns.
- Other board members include representatives from Leaseweb, Outscale, and new additions from Anexia and Hyve.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has officially stepped down from its position on the board of the Cloud Infrastructure Services Providers in Europe (CISPE), shortly after a significant change in the organization’s governance structure. This amendment to the Articles of Association specifies that only companies based in Europe can participate in board activities, a decision that impacts AWS as a non-European entity.
Context of AWS’s Departure
AWS’s exit follows a contentious board vote where the company was outvoted by other members of CISPE regarding the inclusion of Microsoft as an adherent member. This allowed Microsoft to join CISPE without voting privileges, concerning AWS which had previously opposed the decision. The updated governance structure represents a shift toward prioritizing European firms, amidst increasing calls for digital sovereignty in cloud services.
Changes within CISPE
In conjunction with AWS’s departure, CISPE has introduced a new Sovereignty and Strategic Autonomy Committee. This committee is a direct response to growing demand from European users and government entities for independent and competitive cloud infrastructure. A spokesperson from CISPE remarked:
“This shift comes at a critical time with concern over economic and geopolitical dependencies becoming more pronounced. The urgent need for a resilient, competitive, and independent European cloud ecosystem has never been clearer.”
The revised Articles of Association now permit non-European cloud vendors with annual revenues exceeding €10 billion to join CISPE as adherent members, allowing their participation without governance rights. AWS, therefore, retains its membership yet has chosen not to engage in governance roles.
Current Board Structure
The CISPE board is now composed predominantly of European representatives:
- Jacqueline van de Werken, Leaseweb (Netherlands)
- David Chassan, Outscale (France)
- Lorenzo Chiriatti, Register (Italy)
- Alexander Windbichler, Anexia (Austria)
- Jake Madders, Hyve (UK)
AWS’s absence marks a notable change for CISPE, as the company had been instrumental in its establishment and growth since its inception. In a statement, Stephanie Ducalbe, AWS’s vice president, expressed pride in the company’s past contributions and emphasized AWS’s continued commitment to supporting European competitiveness through other initiatives:
“We believe this is the right moment to step back from the CISPE Board and create opportunities for other cloud services providers to take on leadership roles within the governing body of the association.”
The Future of Cloud Services in Europe
The dynamics within CISPE and AWS’s shift away from the board highlight an ongoing trend toward regional autonomy in technology and cloud services in Europe. As geopolitical tensions heighten, European stakeholders are increasingly advocating for homegrown solutions that mitigate reliance on American tech giants. AWS’s future moves in Europe remain under scrutiny as it aims to balance its global operations while supporting European cloud infrastructure developments.
Conclusion
The exit of AWS from the CISPE board is a significant indicator of changing landscapes in cloud services within Europe. As organizations seek to develop local capabilities, the implications for AWS and its competitors’ strategies in the region could be profound. The success of CISPE’s new direction may define how non-European cloud providers engage with the European market moving forward.
References
[^1]: Paul Kunert (2025-02-14). “AWS vacates its board seat at European cloud crew CISPE“. The Register. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
[^2]: Author Unknown (2025-02-18). “AWS exits CISPE board as articles of association undergo changes“. heise online. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
[^3]: Author Unknown (2025-02-14). “AWS vacates its board seat at European cloud crew CISPE“. Hacker News. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
