Exasol AG, a global technology company specializing in high-performance analytics engines, announced that Mathias Golombek, Member of the Executive Board and Chief Technology Officer (CTO), will leave the company effective June 30, 2026, at his own request for personal reasons. Golombek, who has been with Exasol for more than 22 years, played a pivotal role in shaping the company's technology strategy and innovation capabilities.
Golombek, who joined Exasol as Head of Research and Development before being appointed to the Executive Board in 2014, stated: "Over the past 22 years, Exasol has been much more than just a company to me – it has been a defining part of my life. I am grateful to the many people who have accompanied me on this journey and for everything we have built together." He expressed confidence in Exasol's future, noting the company is "exceptionally well-positioned, has a strong team, and a clear strategic direction."
CEO Jörg Tewes acknowledged Golombek's contributions, saying, "Mathias Golombek has had a profound impact on Exasol's technological development over many years. Through his deep expertise, innovative mindset, and exceptional commitment, he has been instrumental in advancing our analytics engine and strengthening Exasol's position in the market." Chairman of the Supervisory Board Volker Smid also expressed gratitude, noting Golombek "has played a key role in shaping the company's technological development and has provided important impulses for its innovative strength."
As part of ongoing strategic and organizational development, Exasol will not appoint a direct successor to the CTO position in the near term. Instead, Golombek's responsibilities will be assumed by Alexander Stigsen, Chief Product Officer (CPO), who reports directly to the CEO. The Executive Board will now consist of CEO Jörg Tewes and CFO Jan-Dirk Henrich.
This leadership consolidation signals Exasol's focus on streamlining decision-making and aligning product and technology strategy under a single executive. For the enterprise analytics market, the departure of a long-tenured CTO could raise questions about continuity, but the company's choice to integrate CTO duties into the CPO role suggests a tighter coupling between product development and technology innovation. Exasol's customers, particularly those in highly regulated industries and the public sector, may view this as a move to accelerate product delivery in a competitive landscape where cloud-based and AI-driven analytics are increasingly critical.
Exasol AG (ETR:EXL) is known for its high-performance analytics engine, purpose-built for demanding data workloads with in-memory computing, massively parallel processing, and advanced AI capabilities. The company emphasizes digital sovereignty and GDPR compliance, serving sectors that require on-premises or hybrid IT environments. Golombek's departure comes at a time when Exasol is deepening its AI capabilities, and the integration of CTO and CPO roles could help the company better align its technology roadmap with market needs.
In his farewell, Golombek added, "I am leaving Exasol with a great sense of confidence... I am convinced that Exasol has a very promising future and look forward to following its continued success as a shareholder." The company's ability to maintain its innovation trajectory without a dedicated CTO will be closely watched by industry observers and customers alike.
