About Dr. Claus Michael Sattler.

Interim CIO, certified advisory board and supervisory board member, consultant, keynote speaker, author, and university lecturer—with a focus on data-driven decision-making structures, governance, and responsible architectural work for governing bodies.

About the Person

Strategic Thinking with a Focus on Practical Implementation

A recurring element of my work is the development of governance structures that facilitate decision-making: clear roles, well-defined interfaces, transparent documentation, and a solid basis for decision-making by governing bodies.

My approach is holistic: IT, OT, and data landscapes are not viewed in isolation, but rather as an interconnected system—including resilience, availability, and regulatory frameworks. I have been working in data processing since 1978 and led my first project on automated machine data acquisition in 1992—now known as OT integration.

Digital resilience begins when management and technology speak the same language.

Career & Recognition

An unusual combination with proven effectiveness

Qualification

Craftsmanship Meets Science

Master Bicycle Mechanic, Business Administrator, and Doctor of Business Administration (2024). Habilitation completed.

Roles

CIO, CTO, CDO

Managing Director of IT and member of the Executive Board responsible for IT, OT, data analytics, and data-driven management decisions. Responsible for annual budgets ranging from €25,000 to €40 million.

Experience

From Formula 1 to KRITIS

Chemical, pharmaceutical, financial institutions, hospital networks, manufacturing SMEs, and public administration. Contributed to two drivers’ and three teams’ world championship titles in Formula 1. Production cost reductions of up to 70% with a positive EBIT margin.

Network

Co-founder of Taskforce Defence

Taskforce-Defence, the network of experienced interim managers and specialists dedicated to helping small and medium-sized enterprises enter the defense market. It combines leadership expertise from the German Armed Forces and civil protection with experience in industry and small and medium-sized enterprises.

Recognition

Top 100 Interim Managers

Awarded the Gold Medal by the BVMID—the Federal Association of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Germany—for the years 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Teaching

Three universities

Lecturer in the international EMBA program at the International Graduate Center (IGC) at Bremen University of Applied Sciences, Germany; at the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), Lausanne, Switzerland; and at WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management, Vallendar, Germany.

Target Audiences

Who My Work Is Aimed At

My work as an interim CIO, advisory board member, or supervisory board member, as well as my books and keynote speeches, are aimed at decision-makers, not purely technical audiences.

Board Members & Senior Management

Industry, cooperatives, foundations, and public administration.

Advisory Boards & Boards of Directors

Bodies that need a solid basis for decision-making and governance.

Managing Director

Small and medium-sized businesses and mid-level managers.