Key Points
- Sopra Steria, a European technology consulting and services group, has appointed Craig Wilson as Chief Executive Officer of its UK business
- Wilson will assume his new role on 1 July 2026, taking over from John Neilson who led the UK business since July 2020
- John Neilson will remain with Sopra Steria in an advisory role before retiring at the end of 2026
- Craig Wilson has been with the Paris-headquartered group since 2018, currently serving as Head of Private Markets
- Wilson was appointed Deputy CEO in January 2026 after previously leading the UK Private Sector business for eight years
- The appointment follows a carefully planned succession process, according to Rajesh Krishnamurthy, CEO of Sopra Steria
- Wilson brings over 25 years of experience to the role, including 18 years in financial services
- Prior to joining Sopra Steria, Wilson served as Chief Operating Officer for HSBC’s Commercial Banking division in the UK
- As CEO, Wilson will focus on accelerating growth in the UK, strengthening the company’s position across key markets
- Wilson will help clients capture opportunities created by AI, digital transformation, cyber security and next-generation business services
- He will also focus on expanding Sopra Steria Next, the group’s management and digital consulting business
- Globally, Sopra Steria has 51,000 employees in nearly 30 countries
- The group was formed in 2014 following the merger of technology and consulting firms Sopra and Steria
- In 2025, Sopra Steria generated revenues of around €5.6 billion
- Craig Wilson will join the Group Executive Committee as part of his new role
What Drives Sopra Steria’s Decision to Appoint Craig Wilson as UK CEO?
As reported by the consultancy.uk news team, Rajesh Krishnamurthy, CEO of Sopra Steria, explained the reasoning behind Wilson’s appointment: “Craig’s appointment is the result of a carefully planned succession process. He knows our clients, our markets and our business extremely well, and has a strong track record of delivery and growth.” Krishnamurthy also acknowledged Neilson’s contributions, stating: “I would like to thank John for his leadership and contribution over the past six years. He leaves the UK business in a strong position, with a talented team, trusted client relationships and good momentum for the future.”
The leadership transition represents a strategic move to maintain continuity while accelerating growth. According to Sophie Milburn’s reporting on msp-channel.com, the company’s leadership has highlighted Wilson’s experience in the UK market and his previous performance as relevant to the role and the organisation’s future direction.
How Will Craig Wilson’s Background Shape His Leadership Approach?
Craig Wilson brings substantial experience to his new role as UK CEO. As reported by consultancy.uk, Wilson has over 25 years of experience in the industry. Prior to joining Sopra Steria in 2018, he spent 18 years in financial services leading teams and large-scale transformation programmes. This included serving as Chief Operating Officer for HSBC’s Commercial Banking division in the UK.
During his time at Sopra Steria, Wilson has held several key positions. According to the consultancy.uk report, he currently serves as Head of Private Markets and earlier led the firm’s financial services industry vertical in the UK market. His progression within the company demonstrates his deep understanding of the organisation’s operations and client base.
Wilson himself commented on his appointment, as reported by consultancy.uk: “Sopra Steria is a business with strong foundations, great people and long-standing client relationships. What has always stood out to me is the commitment of our teams and the trust our clients place in us to deliver on some of their most important programmes.”
What Are Craig Wilson’s Primary Focus Areas as New UK CEO?
As CEO, Wilson has outlined clear strategic priorities for his tenure. According to the consultancy.uk report, Wilson will focus on accelerating growth in the UK and strengthening the company’s position across its key markets. He will also help clients capture the opportunities created by AI, digital transformation, cyber security and next-generation business services.
Wilson elaborated on his vision, stating as reported by consultancy.uk: “The opportunities ahead are significant. Organisations across both the public and private sectors are looking to improve performance, modernise operations and make the most of new technologies, especially AI. My focus will be on helping our clients achieve those outcomes while continuing to build a business where talented people can do their best work.”
Additionally, Wilson will focus on expanding Sopra Steria Next, the group’s management and digital consulting business, according to consultancy.uk reporting.
What Impact Did John Neilson’s Tenure Have on Sopra Steria’s UK Business?
John Neilson’s leadership of the UK business since July 2020 has been marked by significant progress. As reported by Sophie Milburn on msp-channel.com, during John Neilson’s tenure, the UK division of Sopra Steria returned to consistent growth, strengthened its position in key markets, and maintained relationships with established clients.
Neilson’s six-year leadership period positioned the company well for future growth. Rajesh Krishnamurthy acknowledged this achievement, stating as reported by consultancy.uk that Neilson “leaves the UK business in a strong position, with a talented team, trusted client relationships and good momentum for the future.”
Neilson will remain with Sopra Steria in an advisory role before retiring at the end of 2026, ensuring a smooth transition during Wilson’s early months as CEO, according to consultancy.uk.
How Does This Appointment Fit Within Sopra Steria’s Global Operations?
Craig Wilson’s appointment as UK CEO represents an important addition to Sopra Steria’s global leadership structure. As reported by the official Sopra Steria press release and msp-channel.com, Wilson will join the Group Executive Committee as part of his new role, indicating his elevated position within the broader organisation.
Sopra Steria operates as a major European technology consulting and services group. According to consultancy.uk, the company has 51,000 employees globally in nearly 30 countries. The group was formed in 2014 following the merger of technology and consulting firms Sopra and Steria, although its heritage goes back to the 1970s.
The company’s financial performance demonstrates its strong market position. As reported by consultancy.uk, in 2025, Sopra Steria generated revenues of around €5.6 billion, reflecting the scale and success of the organisation that Wilson will now lead in the UK market.
What Does Wilson’s Appointment Signal for Sopra Steria’s UK Strategy?
Wilson’s appointment signals a continuation of growth-focused strategy with an emphasis on emerging technologies. As reported by msp-channel.com, Wilson will take the helm of Sopra Steria UK, focusing on growth and innovation in technology services. This aligns with the broader industry trend towards digital transformation and AI adoption.
The strategic focus on AI, digital transformation, and cyber security reflects the evolving needs of both public and private sector clients. Wilson’s statement about organisationsLooking to improve performance and modernise operations through new technologies, particularly AI, demonstrates the company’s alignment with market demands.
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What Timeline Marks Wilson’s Transition into the CEO Role?
The transition from Neilson to Wilson follows a structured timeline. According to consultancy.uk, Wilson will assume his new role on 1 July 2026. This gives both leaders time to ensure a smooth handover of responsibilities.
Wilson’s progression within Sopra Steria has been methodical. As reported by msp-channel.com and the LinkedIn post from Sopra Steria, he was appointed Deputy CEO in January 2026, six months before assuming the full CEO role. This interim period allowed him to prepare for the expanded responsibilities while maintaining continuity in leadership.
Neilson’s advisory role will continue through the end of 2026 before his retirement, providing additional support during Wilson’s initial months as CEO, according to consultancy.uk reporting.
How Does Wilson’s Financial Services Background Complement His Technology Consulting Role?
Wilson’s extensive background in financial services provides unique perspective for his technology consulting leadership role. As reported by consultancy.uk, his 18 years in financial services included leading teams and large-scale transformation programmes. This experience in managing organisational change within a complex financial institution like HSBC translates well to helping clients navigate their own digital transformation journeys.
His role as Chief Operating Officer for HSBC’s Commercial Banking division in the UK involved operational change at a major financial institution. This experience is particularly valuable as financial services clients continue to prioritise digital transformation and AI adoption in their operations.
Wilson’s dual expertise in both financial services and technology consulting positions him to understand client needs from multiple perspectives, as noted in the consultancy.uk report.
What Opportunities Does Sopra Steria Identify in the UK Market?
The UK market presents significant opportunities for Sopra Steria under Wilson’s leadership. As reported by consultancy.uk, Wilson identified that organisations across both public and private sectors are looking to improve performance, modernise operations and make the most of new technologies, especially AI.
The focus on expanding Sopra Steria Next, the group’s management and digital consulting business, indicates the company’s recognition of growing demand for strategic digital transformation services. This aligns with broader market trends where businesses increasingly require assistance navigating complex technology landscapes.
The emphasis on AI, digital transformation, cyber security and next-generation business services reflects the key areas where UK organisations are investing to maintain competitiveness, according to consultancy.uk reporting.
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What Does Wilson’s Previous Performance Indicate About His Future Leadership?
Wilson’s track record within Sopra Steria provides indicators of his potential success as UK CEO. As reported by msp-channel.com, Wilson previously led the UK Private Sector business for eight years, demonstrating his ability to drive growth in the UK market.
His appointment as Deputy CEO in January 2026, as noted by both msp-channel.com and Sopra Steria’s LinkedIn post, indicated the company’s confidence in his capabilities before his full CEO appointment. Rajesh Krishnamurthy’s comment about Wilson’s “strong track record of delivery and growth” reinforces this assessment.