IFS has appointed Hannes Liebe as its President of Asia Pacific, Japan, Middle East, and Africa (APJMEA). Liebe succeeds Vincent Carvalho, who will transition to President of Strategic GTM Initiatives within IFS’s Acquisitions Unit.
In his new role, Liebe will spearhead IFS’s growth strategy across APJMEA, focusing on expanding the company’s geographical reach and strengthening its strategic partnerships.
“Hannes has already demonstrated his exceptional leadership skills at IFS, and I am confident that he will leverage his extensive experience to drive significant growth in the APJMEA region,” said Simon Niesler, Chief Revenue Officer at IFS. “He will play a crucial role in strengthening our regional presence and reinforcing our commitment to delivering value to our customers, particularly in areas where Industrial AI is transforming businesses.”
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Liebe joined IFS in 2024, initially serving as Interim Managing Director for DACH and Chief Operating Officer for North and Central Europe. He previously held senior roles at Finastra and SAP.
Liebe commented on his appointment, “IFS is entering an exciting phase, marked by significant growth and innovation. APJMEA presents tremendous growth opportunities, and I am eager to collaborate with our regional teams, partners, and customers as we embark on this new chapter.”
A strategic region
His appointment comes at a time when IFS is experiencing significant momentum, having recently surpassed €1 billion in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) and witnessed remarkable adoption of its IFS.ai platform.
This strategic move also underscores IFS’s commitment to accelerating growth and expanding its footprint in APJMEA. This region is of increasing strategic importance to IFS, home to numerous leading enterprises across the company’s core industries. IFS’s robust offerings in Enterprise Asset Management, Field Services Management, and Manufacturing Cloud ERP, coupled with its Industrial AI capabilities, are poised to fuel substantial growth in the coming years.
Liebe’s key focus will be leading IFS’s strategic investments in high-potential markets, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Japan. He will also be tasked with expanding IFS’s global network by attracting new partners, further enhancing the company’s reach and influence in the region.
What this means for ERP Insiders
IFS is heavily investing in its Industrial AI capabilities (IFS.ai). ERP users can expect to see more AI-powered features integrated into their systems, leading to improved automation, predictive maintenance, and data-driven decision-making. The increase in AI integration, especially in sectors like manufacturing, energy, and aerospace, will offer substantial improvements to ERP users. For example, IFS.ai monitors and analyzes critical data for a Middle East-based oil and gas company using machine learning algorithms to detect anomalies and predict potential equipment failures. This allows the company to schedule maintenance proactively, minimizing downtime and avoiding costly emergency repairs.
Liebe’s appointment points to strengthened regional support in APJMEA. ERP users in the APJMEA region will likely benefit from enhanced local support, increased access to specialized expertise, and a wider network of partners. This is particularly evident in the focus on markets like Saudi Arabia and Japan, leading to more robust implementation and support of IFS products. With IFS’s increased investment in the Japanese market, for instance, its customers in that region benefit from local IFS partners who provide specialized support in Japanese, IFS consultants with in-depth knowledge of Japanese business practices and regulatory requirements, and improved integration with local telecommunications systems.
Enhanced industry-specific solutions. IFS provides solutions, particularly in Enterprise Asset Management, Field Services Management, and Manufacturing Cloud. ERP users can anticipate ongoing enhancements and tailored solutions designed to meet the unique needs of their industries for more specific and finely tuned ERP experiences. In Saudi Arabia, the company provides industry-specific enhancements tailored to the manufacturing sector, such as:
- Integration with local supply chain networks.
- Support for compliance with Saudi Arabian quality standards.
- Features for managing complex projects in the construction and engineering industries, which are very prominent in Saudi Arabia.
