Forum Europe’s 4th European Sovereign Cloud Day, will take place in Brussels on the 24 June 2026.
European cloud sovereignty is becoming a defining issue in EU tech policy and regulation. It sits at the intersection of public procurement, cybersecurity requirements for cloud services, data governance in cloud environments, and the oversight of AI delivered through cloud infrastructure. As the EU develops frameworks to translate sovereignty from principle into procurement and compliance expectations, questions of legal exposure, operational control, supply chain trust, and interoperability are moving from specialist debate into mainstream policymaking.
The European Sovereign Cloud Day 2026 convenes EU and Member State policymakers, regulators and agencies, civil society and think tanks, and industry leaders to examine how the cloud sovereignty agenda is evolving and what it means for trusted cloud infrastructure and services in Europe. The programme focuses on the rules, guidance, and political trade-offs now under discussion – including the upcoming Cloud and AI Development Act (CADA) – and on how those choices connect to implementation realities for administrations, critical sectors, and providers.
A full list of speakers will be announced shortly. Please check back regularly for updates.
Previous editions have brought together senior representatives from EU institutions, Member State governments, regulatory authorities, and leading cloud and technology providers, reflecting the breadth of stakeholders shaping Europe’s cloud sovereignty agenda.
Previous speakers at The European Sovereign Cloud Day:
Manuel Mateo Goyet, Head of Unit, Cloud and Software, DG CNECT, European Commission Since 2019, Manuel Mateo Goyet is the deputy Head of the Cloud and Software unit at the European Commission, DG Connect.
Before that, he served as Member of the Cabinet of Commissioner Gabriel advising her on questions of copyright, audiovisual, disinformation, high performance computing, digital skills, Wifi4EU and eHealth.
Manuel Mateo joined the Commission (DG INFSO/CONNECT) in 2006 where he held several positions, including that of Assistant to the Director General, and of deputy Head of Unit dealing with inter-institutional relations.
Prior to joining the Commission in 2006, Manuel gathered an extensive experience of industry by working in the private sector in Belgium, France and the Czech Republic. Manuel Mateo holds a degree in mechanical engineering from the Free University of Brussels, a MBA in European Management that got him travelling through Spain (Deusto), France (Audencia) and the United Kingdom (Bradford Management Centre) and a Master in Political Sciences from the Free University of Brussels.
Head of Unit, Cloud and Software, DG CNECT
European Commission
Pablo Arias Echeverría, Member, European Parliament Pablo Arias Echeverría is a Member of the European Parliament representing Spain within the European People’s Party (EPP). With a strong focus on digital policy, internal market, and consumer protection, he plays a key role in shaping Europe’s digital transformation and regulatory framework.
Currently serving on the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO), Pablo Arias Echeverría has been a vocal advocate for a competitive, innovative, and secure digital single market. He has contributed to key legislative files related to digital services, data governance, and emerging technologies.
Prior to his time in the European Parliament, he served as chief of staff to former Prime Minister José María Aznar and held senior advisory roles in both public institutions and private sector organizations.
Pablo brings a wealth of experience and insight into how Europe can lead in digital innovation while protecting consumer rights and fostering fair competition.
Member
European Parliament
Carme Artigas, Co-Chair of the UN AI Advisory Body & Former Secretary of State for AI of Spain Carme Artigas is a Spanish executive, entrepreneur, and internationally recognised expert in big data, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity and technological innovation, with more than three decades of experience in both the private and public technology sectors.
She co‑founded and served as CEO of Synergic Partners, a pioneering big data and AI consultancy acquired by the Telefónica Group in 2015, where she continued to lead its integration until 2018.
In January 2020, Artigas was appointed as Spain’s first Secretary of State for Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence, a role she held until December 2023. In that capacity she played a leading role in advancing digital transformation, AI policy and regulation, including acting as lead negotiator for the approval of the European AI Act under Spain’s Council Presidency.
She also served as Co‑Chair of the United Nations AI Advisory Group, coordinating international expert recommendations on global AI governance.
In October 2023 Artigas was appointed a Senior Fellow at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at the Harvard Kennedy School, becoming the first Spanish woman to hold this position.
She holds a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the Instituto Químico de Sarrià and a postgraduate degree in Industrial Management, as well as executive training in venture capital from the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley.
Co-Chair of the UN AI Advisory Body & Former Secretary of State for AI of Spain
Johan David Michels, Researcher with the Cloud Legal Project at the Centre for Commercial Law Studies, Queen Mary University of London Johan David Michels is a researcher with the Cloud Legal Project at the Centre for Commercial Law Studies, Queen Mary University of London, and a Guest Teacher at the London School of Economics. He has published articles covering cloud and IT services in leading US and European law journals and is a co-author of the Cloud Computing Law book (2nd edition, OUP, 2021). His research has been funded by Microsoft and Broadcom and his findings have been cited by the Singapore Court of Appeal and the Law Commission of England and Wales. Before joining academia, he worked as a Strategy and Policy Associate at Ofcom (the UK telecoms regulator) and as an Associate Legal Officer at the United Nations in the Hague. He has written an independent expert report for Broadcom on “Sovereign Cloud for Europe” and his most recent article, entitled “Storm Clouds are Building: Surveillance, Sovereignty, and State Interests”, will be published in the Virginia Journal of Law and Technology in 2025.
Researcher with the Cloud Legal Project at the Centre for Commercial Law Studies
Queen Mary University of London
Ilias Iakovidis, Adviser on digital aspects of the green transition, European Commission Ilias Iakovidis is an adviser at the European Commission’s DG CONNECT, where he focuses on maximising the positive impact of digitalisation on the green transition and supporting EU initiatives to make the ICT sector more sustainable. He initiated and supports the European Green Digital Coalition, a multi‑stakeholder initiative backed by the European Parliament Pilot project that is developing science‑based methods to estimate the environmental impact of digital solutions and guidelines for green digital transformation across sectors such as energy, transport, and construction.
He also works on digitalisation for the circular economy, including efforts related to the Digital Product Passport under the Eco‑design for Sustainable Product Regulation.
Before his current role, Iakovidis contributed for more than 20 years to the EU agenda on eHealth and ICT for Active and Healthy Ageing, pioneering areas such as digitally supported integrated care, virtual physiological human models, personal health systems, and electronic health records.
Adviser on digital aspects of the green transition
European Commission
Andreas Schwab, Member, European Parliament Andreas Schwab is a German politician and Member of the European Parliament, representing Germany since 2004. He is a member of the Christian Democratic Union and the European People’s Party. Schwab serves as the European People’s Party Group’s coordinator on the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, where he is involved in legislative work on issues including digital markets, competition policy, and cybersecurity. He has served as rapporteur on important files such as the Digital Markets Act, and has held roles shaping EU policy on consumer rights, competition enforcement, and services regulation. Schwab is also chair of the European Parliament’s delegation for Northern cooperation and relations with Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and the European Economic Area, and chairs the Parliament’s Committee on Budgetary Control. In addition to his parliamentary work, he has been of counsel with law firm CMS Hasche Sigle and holds a doctorate in law. Schwab studied law at the University of Freiburg, Sciences Po in Paris, and completed a Master of Laws at the University of Wales.
Member
European Parliament
Francesco Bonfiglio, CEO, Dynamo Cloud Francesco Bonfiglio is the CEO and Co‑Founder of Dynamo | The European Cloud Alternative, a company focused on creating a federation of European cloud service providers to strengthen competitiveness and sovereignty in the cloud market. Prior to founding Dynamo, he served as CEO of Gaia‑X Association for Data and Cloud, where he led the association’s strategy and engagement with European institutions and Member State governments. He brings over 30 years of experience in the IT, cloud, and digital transformation sectors, having previously held executive positions including Chief Executive Officer of ENGINEERING D.HUB, Vice President for Technology Services at Avanade, Managing Director at Accenture, Chief Technology Officer for Hewlett‑Packard EMEA, and senior leadership roles at Unisys and Rational Software. Bonfiglio began his career as a hardware/software engineer working on advanced R&D projects and has a background in electronics engineering. He is also co‑founder and board member of FOOLFARM.com, an AI‑centric startup studio, and remains active in the European tech and startup ecosystem.
CEO
Dynamo Cloud
Katharina Cordes, Product Director, plusserver GmbH Katharina Cordes is leading a product engineering team for a data-secure & resilient, scalable and high-performance enterprise public and private cloud. Together with her team, she drives feature and product development across the entire product lifecycle.
Product Director
plusserver GmbH
Alex Agius Saliba, Member, European Parliament Alex Agius Saliba is a Member of the European Parliament from Malta, representing the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) Group. He serves on the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) and is a leading voice on digital policy, consumer rights, and platform regulation.
Since entering the European Parliament in 2019, Agius Saliba has been at the forefront of major legislative initiatives, including acting as rapporteur for the Digital Services Act (DSA), a landmark regulation shaping the future of the online ecosystem in Europe. His work focuses on creating a fair, transparent, and safe digital environment for citizens and businesses alike.
Before joining the European Parliament, he worked as a journalist and served in key advisory roles in Malta’s national government. Known for his pragmatic approach and strong advocacy for digital fairness, Alex Agius Saliba is a prominent figure in Europe’s efforts to build a more inclusive and rights-based digital future.
Member
European Parliament
Christian Scholz, Vice President, Cloud Business, Arvato Systems Leading Arvato Systems’ Cloud Business as Vice President and Board Member, my role encompasses strategic consulting and driving growth within the IT Outsourcing sector. My recent endeavors include the expansion of our consulting services and portfolio for diversified industries such as utilities, healthcare, and media, ensuring tailored solutions for each sector.
With a consistent focus on new digital business development, particularly in robotics and cloud technologies, our team has successfully built comprehensive end-to-end processes that bolster our clients’ operational excellence. Partnering with top-tier cloud providers, we have fortified the IT infrastructure and strategic frameworks for global enterprises, leveraging my extensive experience in IT and passion for innovation to deliver enhanced value and agility to our clients.
Vice President, Cloud Business
Arvato Systems
Pierre Chastanet, Head of Unit, Microelectronics and Photonics & Former Head of Unit, Cloud and Software, DG CNECT, European Commission Pierre Chastanet is Head of the Unit for Microelectronics and Photonics in the Directorate‑General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CONNECT) at the European Commission. Previously, he served as Head of Unit for Cloud and Software, where he led the development and implementation of EU cloud and software policy, including work on digital sovereignty, cloud computing, and the free flow of data. In his current role, he oversees European semiconductor policy, including the European Chips Act, while continuing to contribute to digital infrastructure and technology policy across Europe. Pierre Chastanet holds a Master of Science in Telecommunication Engineering from Telecom ParisTech, a Master of Arts in International Politics from the Free University of Brussels (ULB), and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Head of Unit, Microelectronics and Photonics & Former Head of Unit, Cloud and Software, DG CNECT
European Commission
Pierre Gronlier, Chief Innovation Officer & Interim Chief Technology Officer, Gaia-X Pierre Gronlier is Chief Innovation Officer and interim Chief Technology Officer at the Gaia-X European Association for Data and Cloud. In this role, he is responsible for shaping and driving the organisation’s innovation strategy, supporting the development of a federated and sovereign European data and cloud ecosystem. He has played a key role in the evolution of Gaia-X, previously serving as Chief Technology Officer and contributing to the development of its technical architecture and early prototypes.
He has over a decade of experience in the IT industry, with a particular focus on operationalising and scaling systems in the field of real-time communication and cloud services. With an academic background in embedded systems and applied mathematics in signal processing and machine learning, he began his career as a research engineer in video compression before joining Skype and Microsoft. He later worked as a cloud solution architect at OVHcloud, advising organisations on cloud architecture and infrastructure.
Chief Innovation Officer & Interim Chief Technology Officer
Gaia‑X
Roger Samdal, Agency Director, Hybrid Cloud, Sopra Steria Roger Samdal is Agency Director for Hybrid Cloud at Sopra Steria, where he leads a team focused on developing and delivering hybrid cloud solutions that bridge existing IT platforms with next-generation cloud services. In this role, he works with organisations across the public and private sectors to support their cloud transformation journeys and implement secure, scalable infrastructure strategies.
He brings extensive experience in cloud technologies and enterprise IT, having previously held several senior roles at VMware, including Manager of Solution Engineering and Lead Solutions Engineer for Strategic Partners in the Nordics and Baltics. In these positions, he advised customers and partners on cloud architecture, hybrid cloud adoption, and infrastructure modernisation.
Earlier in his career, he held technical roles at EMC, Hewlett Packard, and other IT companies, building a strong foundation in systems engineering and enterprise infrastructure.
Agency Director, Hybrid Cloud
Sopra Steria
Uwe Geier, Head of Cloud Products, IONOS Uwe Geier is Head of Cloud Products at IONOS, where he leads technical and commercial product management for Server & Cloud services and the corresponding Partner Management . With over 30 years of experience in open source, cloud architectures, and IT service management, Uwe is recognized for driving innovation, security, and operational excellence. He holds multiple industry certifications, including ITIL Expert & Managing Professional and ISO/IEC 27001 Information Security Officer, and has a proven track record in building scalable, secure cloud solutions for enterprise customers.
Head of Cloud Products
IONOS
Dominic Wasiluk, Senior Project Manager, Poland's Central IT Office Dominik Wasiluk is a Senior Project Manager at the Central IT Center, an institution operating under Poland’s Ministry of Digital Affairs. His work focuses on cloud policy and central procurement for public cloud computing services. He also serves as the national coordinator for IPCEI-CIS (8ra). With five years of experience in the area of cloud computing, he previously honed his managerial expertise in both public and private sectors.
He holds two master’s degrees, one in Quantitative Economics from the Warsaw School of Economics and another in Law from the University of Warsaw. Currently, he is pursuing a doctorate in Law. He holds Standford School of Business Executive Education certificate. Passionate about mentorship, he dedicates voluntary time to guiding young students. Privately, he is a devoted husband and father.
Senior Project Manager
Poland’s Central IT Office
All times are in CEST
Stay tuned for the full agenda featuring keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive sessions on cloud sovereignty.
The European Sovereign Cloud Day 2025 took place on 3 June in Brussels, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and technology experts to explore the future of cloud sovereignty in Europe.
Through keynote speeches and panel discussions, speakers addressed critical issues including data sovereignty, security, and compliance with EU regulations.
Watch the discussions on demand below:
Organised by
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In partnership with
Advania is a leading IT services provider headquartered in Stockholm, serving organisations across Northern Europe, the United Kingdom and Ireland. With over 5,000 employees and 50+ locations, Advania delivers comprehensive technology solutions — including cloud, managed IT services, cybersecurity and digital transformation — to both public and private sector clients. The company combines global scale with local expertise, offering vendor‑neutral guidance and tailored support that helps organisations simplify IT and drive sustainable growth.
ANS is a cloud and digital transformation provider, helping organisations adopt, manage and optimise modern technology environments. With expertise across cloud, managed services, cybersecurity and modern workplace solutions, ANS supports clients in driving innovation, improving performance and maintaining secure, resilient IT operations.
Aruba Cloud is a European cloud service provider and part of the Aruba S.p.A. Group, delivering a broad portfolio of digital infrastructure services to businesses, public administrations, and developers. Its offerings include public and private cloud solutions, virtual data centres, cloud storage, backup, and disaster recovery services.
With a strong focus on data sovereignty, transparency, and compliance with European regulatory frameworks, Aruba Cloud operates a network of data centres located primarily in Europe. The company is committed to high standards of security, reliability, and energy efficiency, supporting organisations in their digital transformation while ensuring that data remains protected and governed in line with EU values and legislation.
Atea is a leading provider of IT infrastructure and services in the Nordics and Baltics. The company delivers a broad portfolio of technology solutions, including cloud services, digital workplace, cybersecurity, data centre infrastructure, and managed services, supporting public and private organisations in their digital transformation journeys.
evoila cloud is a European cloud service provider and part of the evoila GmbH group, delivering managed cloud solutions and digital infrastructure services to enterprises and public sector organisations. Its portfolio includes public and private cloud, multi-cloud management, cloud-native development, as well as data, AI, and SAP-focused services.
The company supports organisations throughout their cloud transformation journey, from strategy and migration to ongoing operations, with a strong emphasis on security, compliance, and operational resilience. With operations across Europe, evoila cloud aligns its services with European data protection standards and regulatory requirements, contributing to secure, sovereign, and sustainable digital ecosystems.
Fundamentts is a cloud and digital transformation specialist, supporting organisations in modernising their IT environments and operating securely in the cloud. With expertise across Microsoft technologies, managed services and cybersecurity, Fundamentts helps clients improve collaboration, scalability and overall digital performance.
IONOS is a European cloud and digital infrastructure provider, part of the United Internet AG group. The company delivers a comprehensive range of services, including public cloud, infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS), platform solutions, web hosting, and domain services to businesses, public sector organisations, and individuals.
With a strong footprint in Europe and the United States, IONOS operates its own data centres and places a particular emphasis on data protection, cybersecurity, and compliance with European regulatory standards. The company is committed to enabling secure and sovereign digital transformation, offering transparent and reliable cloud solutions that align with EU values around privacy, competition, and digital independence.
noris network is a German IT service provider and operator of high-security data centres. The company delivers managed IT services, cloud solutions, and colocation services for enterprise and public sector customers.
Its portfolio includes private cloud, hybrid cloud, IT outsourcing, and network services, with a strong focus on high availability, security, and performance for business-critical environments.
noris network operates its own data centre infrastructure in Germany, enabling highly controlled and secure IT environments designed to meet demanding regulatory and operational requirements.
OVHcloud is a global cloud provider that specialises in delivering industry-leading performance and cost-effective solutions to better manage, secure, and scale data. Founded in 1999 and headquartered in France, OVHcloud manages a trusted cloud infrastructure for customers in more than 140 countries.
As a European leader in the cloud sector, OVHcloud offers a broad portfolio of solutions, including public cloud, private cloud, shared hosting, and dedicated servers. The Group relies on an integrated model that combines the design and operation of its own servers, data centres, and fibre-optic network.
OVHcloud is committed to providing an open, reversible, and trusted cloud environment, supporting customers in maintaining control over their data while meeting applicable regulatory and data protection requirements.
Redcentric is a managed IT services provider specialising in network, connectivity and communications solutions. Supporting organisations with secure infrastructure and reliable connectivity, Redcentric enables businesses to deliver critical services, enhance collaboration and maintain high-performing, resilient IT environments.
Sopra Steria is a leading European technology company in consulting, digital services and software development. It supports organisations in their digital transformation and helps them achieve tangible and sustainable results.
The Group delivers end-to-end solutions designed to strengthen the performance and competitiveness of large organisations. It combines deep sector expertise with innovative technologies and a collaborative approach.
With around 50,000 employees across nearly 30 countries, Sopra Steria places people at the centre of its approach and works to harness digital technology to contribute to a positive future.
Uniserver is a cloud services provider specialising in sovereign and enterprise-grade cloud infrastructure. The company supports organisations in deploying, managing and optimising cloud environments with a strong focus on security, compliance and data sovereignty. Uniserver enables clients to run critical workloads reliably while maintaining control, performance and regulatory alignment.
Vivicta is a European initiative focused on developing next-generation digital and cloud infrastructure solutions. It brings together partners from across industry and the public sector to support the deployment of secure, interoperable, and energy-efficient computing resources in Europe.
The initiative aims to strengthen Europe’s technological sovereignty by fostering innovation in cloud, edge, and high-performance computing, while aligning with European regulatory frameworks and standards. Through collaboration and investment in advanced infrastructure, Vivicta contributes to building a resilient and sustainable digital ecosystem that supports emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and data-driven services.
VMware, a global leader in cloud infrastructure and business mobility, helps customers realize possibilities by accelerating their digital transformation journeys. With VMware solutions, organizations are improving business agility by modernizing data centers and integrating public clouds, driving innovation with modern apps, creating exceptional experiences by empowering the digital workspace, and safeguarding customer trust by transforming security. VMware is headquartered in Palo Alto, CA and has over 500,000 customers and 75,000 partners worldwide.
For more information on any aspect of this event, please contact Lorena Rodríguez using any of the following details:
Lorena Rodríguez
Senior Event Manager, Forum Europe
sovereign-cloud@forum-europe.com
Tel: +44 (0) 7845 647 358
The in-person event will be held at the Radisson Collection Grand Place Brussels (Rue du Fossé aux Loups 47, 1000 Brussels, Belgium) — attendance is by application.
The event will also be available online, free to register, with the joining link shared closer to the event.
