zvoove Taps M&A Expert Otto Lepikkö as COO to Drive Global Scale

MUNICH, Germany – January 15, 2026 – zvoove Group, a dominant European provider of software and AI solutions for service-based industries, has appointed Otto Lepikkö as its new Chief Operating Officer. The move, effective January 1, 2026, signals a strategic push to unify and scale its rapidly expanding international operations.

Lepikkö, who will report directly to CEO Oliver Muhr, is tasked with a critical mission: to refine operating models, drive efficiency, and provide executive oversight for strategic projects aimed at cementing the company's market leadership. His appointment comes as zvoove navigates a period of aggressive growth, fueled by a relentless M&A strategy that has seen it absorb numerous specialized software firms across Europe.

“We are thrilled to welcome Otto Lepikkö to the leadership team,” said Oliver Muhr, CEO of zvoove Group. “Otto is a proven leader with a remarkable track record in scaling international operations and driving growth and profitability. His deep expertise in HCM- and payroll software and his experience in leading business transformation will be invaluable as we continue to refine our playbooks and accelerate our international growth.”

A Strategic Hire for Global Ambitions

Lepikkö’s arrival is not just a routine executive shuffle; it is a direct response to zvoove’s own explosive growth. Over the past few years, the company has executed a formidable acquisition campaign to consolidate its position in the temporary staffing, commercial cleaning, and private security software markets. This has transformed zvoove from a regional player into a sprawling pan-European and Latin American powerhouse.

Recent acquisitions highlight the scale of this ambition. In 2025 alone, zvoove acquired Nocore in the Netherlands, strengthening its foothold in cleaning services and temporary staffing for migrant labor. It also brought Spain’s temporary staffing software market leader, Nivel IV, into the fold, and absorbed Danish SaaS company CleanManager to expand its reach into Scandinavia and the UK. This followed a string of other strategic purchases, including French market player DirectSkills and Spanish security software leader Freematica in 2024.

While this strategy has rapidly expanded zvoove’s market share and product portfolio, it also creates a significant operational challenge: integrating disparate companies, technologies, and cultures into a single, efficient machine. This is precisely where Lepikkö’s expertise becomes paramount. With a history of successfully integrating over 20 acquisitions in previous roles, he brings a playbook for harmonization and synergy. His background as Group COO at Zalaris and Executive Vice President at Accountor saw him lead large, multi-country operations, making him uniquely qualified to steer zvoove’s post-acquisition integration phase.

Driving Efficiency in a Digital-First World

The industries zvoove serves—staffing, cleaning, and security—are undergoing a profound digital transformation. According to industry analysts like Gartner, the demand for comprehensive Human Capital Management (HCM) suites is surging as businesses abandon siloed systems in favor of integrated platforms. The rise of the flexible workforce, including contingent and gig workers, further fuels the need for sophisticated software that can manage complex payroll, scheduling, and compliance demands.

Lepikkö's mandate to “spearhead efficiency initiatives” and oversee “target operating models” is central to capitalizing on these trends. His focus will be on leveraging automation and AI to streamline processes across the entire zvoove ecosystem. This involves more than just finding cost savings; it's about building a scalable platform that delivers tangible value to its 8,500 customers, who rely on the software to manage over 3 million workers and process EUR 24 billion in annual payroll.

Lepikkö commented on his new role, stating, “I am honored to join zvoove Group at such a pivotal moment in the company's journey. Together with our international teams, I look forward to strengthening our operating models, scaling our platform efficiently, and enhancing the value we deliver to customers. By driving greater consistency, automation, and cross‑market alignment, we will further reinforce zvoove's position as the leading software and AI partner in our industries.”

Navigating a Complex International Landscape

Expanding a software business across Europe and Latin America is fraught with complexity. Each market presents a unique maze of labor laws, data protection regulations like GDPR, and distinct business cultures. A one-size-fits-all approach is destined to fail. zvoove’s strategy of acquiring established local leaders is a savvy method for embedding regional expertise and compliance directly into its DNA.

However, managing this federation of companies requires a steady hand at the operational helm. Lepikkö’s experience overseeing business units across nine countries at Zalaris and seven at Accountor provides him with the cross-border leadership experience necessary to navigate these challenges. His role will be crucial in ensuring that as zvoove standardizes its technology and processes, it retains the local knowledge and agility that made its acquired companies successful in the first place.

This balance between global consistency and local specialization will be the key to unlocking further growth. By creating a unified operational backbone, zvoove can more effectively deploy its advanced AI and automation tools across all markets, offering a competitive advantage to its clients whether they are in Berlin, Madrid, or Amsterdam. This approach aims to transform a collection of market leaders into a single, undisputed international industry champion, a goal now central to Lepikkö's new position.