Roland W. Sorke

Managing Director | Security+Payment Technology | IMD EMBA | Digital Transformation | Chief Executive Officer | International+DACH

Greater Dusseldorf Area

About

Managing Director - I lead technology businesses operating at the intersection of security, trust, and regulated institutional markets, from certified payment hardware, ATMs, POSs and PCI/DK-compliant software platforms to high-security managed services for central banks, financial institutions, retailers and payment networks. Over 27 years of international leadership across Europe and Latin America, I have built a track record in environments where reliability, regulatory compliance, and long-term institutional trust are the decisive success factors, not just commercial velocity. At Diebold Nixdorf and Ingenico, I have run businesses held to the same security and quality standards as the most critical financial infrastructure: certified hardware, high-security software, and regulatorily compliant services for the banking sector and retail. What I have delivered: ► €260M+ DACH P&L with full GmbH accountability across Germany, Switzerland and Austria ► Structural transformations at Diebold Nixdorf and Ingenico, including Works Council negotiations. Experienced in navigating German and Austrian Mitbestimmung, US corporate governance logic, and European regulatory complexity simultaneously. ► ATM-as-a-Service contracts: BAWAG PSK ($18M TCV) and Bank99 ($25M TCV), both global reference customers, Hardware-to-managed-services transformation: repositioning a legacy ATM business toward recurring software and outsourcing revenue ► Greenfield subsidiary build: $35M Mexican operation grown from a $7M partner model, with full P&L and legal entity responsibility ► Global key account leadership: Banco Santander across 11 countries, €70M annual revenue, through the Wincor–Diebold merger ► Executive Board mandate: TeCo ep2 — Switzerland's national EFT/POS payment security standards body Formally certified as an Ambidextrous Leader by IMD Business School, Lausanne: validated capacity to optimise an established core business at peak performance while simultaneously architecting the digital and organisational transformation required for sustainable long-term growth. I combine high emotional stability under pressure with a coaching leadership style that serves as a reliable anchor for high-performance teams in complex transitions. Equally effective through formal governance structures and informal stakeholder networks. Trilingual: German (native) · English (native/bilingual) · Spanish (native/bilingual). Executive-MBA at IMD is Triple-accredited: AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA. Global immersions: Silicon Valley - USA, Shenzhen - China, Lima - Peru.

Experience

  • Ingenico (Greater Dusseldorf Area · On-site)
    • Managing Director Germany & European Enterprise Sales
      2025 - Present · 1 yr 7 mos

      Accountable for Worldline and Payone Revenues across various European markets leading commercial engagement with Ingenico's largest customer in EMEA. Full P&L responsibility for Germany, managing GmbH rights, responsibilities, and Works Council negotiations. Key outcomes: Negotiated structural change and cultural realignment with the German Works Council. Enhanced sales velocity and deal performance through matrix leadership orchestration and regional transformation execution.

    • Managing Director Germany & Chief Sales Officer (DACH Region)
      2023 - Present · 3 yrs 7 mos

      Recruited to lead full P&L operations for Germany and orchestrate commercial transformation across the DACH region. Executed EMEA regional restructuring in Germany and Switzerland, aligned the organisation with Ingenico's new matrix leadership model, and drove measurable improvements in sales productivity and deal velocity.

  • Executive Board Member at TeCo ep2
    2024 - Present · 2 yrs 7 mos

  • Diebold Nixdorf (24 yrs 1 mo)
    • Managing Director Germany, Switzerland, Austria & Chief Sales Officer (DACH Region)
      2020 - 2023 · 3 yrs

      USD 4B global technology company delivering banking and retail solutions in over 100 countries. Promoted to manage a €260M P&L across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, leading 75+ professionals through post-COVID commercial transformation and digital realignment with the US corporate model. Key outcomes: Drove sustained EBITDA growth through structural change and sales team realignment. Reduced operational overhead by 20% while improving client engagement quality and pipeline velocity. Established DACH as a model region for US-aligned performance leadership.

    • Country Manager | Diebold Nixdorf Austria
      2018 - 2020 · 2 yrs

      Led a €30M P&L, ensuring business continuity through economic disruption while driving strategic outsourcing growth. Key outcomes: Won €40M+ in landmark ATM-as-a-Service outsourcing contracts — BAWAG PSK ($18M TCV) and Bank99 ($25M TCV), now global Diebold Nixdorf reference customers. Increased revenue by 28%. Awarded the International Club of Sales Excellence.

    • Global Account Manager for Banco Santander | Wincor and Diebold Nixdorf Iberia & Americas
      2013 - 2018 · 5 yrs

      Managed global strategy for Diebold Nixdorf's largest account (€70M annual revenue) across 11 countries in LATAM, the US, and Europe — spanning both the pre- and post-Nixdorf merger period. Key outcomes: Achieved 130% of annual sales targets and 50% account portfolio growth. Signed a $10M USD Software & Professional Services contract with Banco Santander Mexico. Revitalised stagnant markets in Brazil and launched the Santander US business from scratch.