TL;DR
- T-Systems has appointed Christine Knackfuß-Nikolic as its first Chief Sovereignty Officer.
- The role aims to strengthen Deutsche Telekom’s focus on sovereignty in Europe.
- Andreas Schlegel joins the company as Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer.
- The appointments signal a strategic shift towards digital sovereignty and cloud solutions.
With the rapidly evolving digital landscape, companies are recognizing the importance of data sovereignty. As part of this trend, T-Systems has made a significant move by appointing Christine Knackfuß-Nikolic as its first Chief Sovereignty Officer. This appointment underscores the growing emphasis on digital sovereignty in the European market and T-Systems’ strategy to lead in this area.
Introduction to Digital Sovereignty
Digital sovereignty refers to a country’s ability to control and secure its digital infrastructure, including data. This concept has gained significant traction in recent years, driven by the need for secure and reliable digital services. T-Systems’ decision to establish a Chief Sovereignty Officer position highlights the importance of this concept in the current digital environment.
The Role of the Chief Sovereignty Officer
As the first Chief Sovereignty Officer, Christine Knackfuß-Nikolic will be responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive sovereignty strategy for T-Systems. This strategy will focus on addressing the regulatory, geopolitical, and customer-specific requirements of the European market. Knackfuß-Nikolic will also continue to oversee the company’s security business, further solidifying T-Systems’ commitment to secure and reliable digital services.
Implications for the European Digital Market
The appointment of a Chief Sovereignty Officer at T-Systems has significant implications for the European digital market. It reflects the growing recognition of the importance of digital sovereignty in securing the region’s digital infrastructure. As European governments push for greater control over their digital ecosystems, companies like T-Systems are adapting to meet these demands. This shift is expected to create new opportunities for innovation and collaboration in the European digital sector.
About Dr. Christine Knackfuß-Nikolic
As Chief Sovereignty Officer, Dr. Christine Knackfuß-Nikolic is responsible for defining and implementing a company-wide sovereignty strategy aligned with customer-specific, regulatory, and geopolitical requirements. Together with her team, she develops differentiated value propositions that address various sovereignty challenges in the market across the end-to-end stack. In her previous role, Christine served on the executive board of T-Systems as Chief Technology Officer.
Conclusion
In conclusion, T-Systems’ appointment of Christine Knackfuß-Nikolic as its first Chief Sovereignty Officer marks a significant step towards strengthening Europe’s digital sovereignty. The move reflects the growing importance of secure and reliable digital services in the European market. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, companies like T-Systems are adapting to meet the changing demands of the market. This shift is expected to drive innovation and growth in the European digital sector, with a focus on secure and customer-centric solutions.
References
[^1]: Leo Gergs (2025). “T-Systems appoints its first Chief Sovereignty Officer“. T-Systems. Retrieved 2025-09-06.
[^2]: Julia Schindler, Sarah McBride (2025). “DT appoints chief sovereignty officer to further capitalize on Europe’s sovereignty push“. Omdia. Retrieved 2025-09-09.
[^3]: Ray Sharma (2025). “Digital Sovereignty in Focus: T-Systems Appoints First Chief Sovereignty Officer“. TheFastMode. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
