Mike Ettling
Profile Verified by The Marque
Last Updated: 22 Sep 2026
Operating Partner
Miami, US
Profile Verified by The Marque
Last Updated: 22 Sep 2026
THE MARQUE
In Their Own Right
Biography
Mike Ettling is Chairman of SYSPRO, a leading global provider of digital manufacturing solutions, and an Operating Partner with Advent International, one of the world’s largest and most experienced private equity investors. In his role at Advent, Mike helps identify new investment opportunities in the enterprise technology sector and oversees key initiatives across portfolio companies.
A globally recognized thought leader in IT, HCM, and cloud software, Mike is also an active investor and advisor to emerging technology businesses. He is widely respected for building and inspiring high-performing teams, championing diversity and inclusion, and leveraging technology to transform workplaces and unlock human potential.
Previously, Mike served as CEO of Unit4, where he led the company’s successful transformation into a modern cloud enterprise software provider. His leadership emphasized vision, culture, and innovation, reshaping Unit4’s market position and product strategy.
Before Unit4, Mike was President of SAP SuccessFactors, a global leader in cloud-based human capital management (HCM). He also served as Chief Executive of NGA HR (now Strada) and held senior executive roles at Unisys.
A proud South African, Mike is a dedicated father and an avid supporter of the Springboks and Liverpool Football Club.
The Record
Background
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2024 — Present
Executive Chairman
SYSPRO
SYSPRO is a global partner in digital transformation, creating solutions for mid-market manufacturers and distributors.
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2025 — Present
Operating Partner
Advent
Mike joined Advent as Operating Partner to assist them in identifying new investment opportunities in the enterprise technology sector. He has oversight of portfolio company initiatives and collaborates on broader leadership and culture activities.
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2014 — 2018
President
SAP SuccessFactors
SAP SuccessFactors is the leading global provider of cloud-based human capital management software.
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2009 — 2014
Chief Executive
NGA Human Resources
NGA Human Resources', now Alight, was a global pioneer in digital HR, offering master local, regional and international payroll, compliance, workforce data, and HR operations solutions to small, mid-range, and large organizations.
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2006 — 2009
Vice President: Global Business Process Outsourcing
Unisys
Unisys is a global IT company that develops highly secure, modern digital platforms. It provides multi-cloud solutions, including cybersecurity, digital government, banking, and transportation.
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2004 — 2006
Vice President: Global Outsourcing APAC
Unisys
Unisys is a global IT company that develops highly secure, modern digital platforms. It provides multi-cloud solutions, including cybersecurity, digital government, banking, and transportation.
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2019 — 2025
CEO
Unit4
Unit4 is a software company that designs and delivers enterprise software and ERP applications and related professional services, with a focus on the professional services, education, public services, and non-profit sectors.
In The News
Newsfeed
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14 September 2026 · Fintech Global
Sapiens launches AI-native insurance platform SapiensAIP
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27 August 2026 · TipRanks
NCC Group Announces Board and Audit Committee Changes
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17 December 2025 · Sapiens
Sapiens Announces Leadership Appointments Following Closing of Acquisition by Advent
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19 May 2025 · LinkedIn
Advent | Meet our new Operating Partner, Mike Ettling
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22 April 2025 · YouTube
"I Am Because You Are": Exploring a Transformative Business Leadership Philosophy
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10 March 2025 · CEO Magazine
Good to Great | Mike Ettling
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9 January 2025 · Unit4
Unit4 Announces CEO Transition
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7 January 2025 · The Software Report
The Top 50 Software CEOs of 2024
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2 January 2025 · The Software Report
Elevated Leadership in Software: Unit4’s Mike Ettling
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4 November 2024 · Diginomica
No one tells me, 'We're not going to the cloud' - Unit4 CEO Mike Ettling
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13 August 2024
US investor marks entry into SA with Syspro acquisition
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6 August 2024 · Unit4
Unit4 FP&A Receives Experience Leader and Trust Leader Positions in Dresner Advisory Services 2024
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12 June 2024 · Unit4
Success4U Brings Certainty to Customer Experience with Phased Adoption and Expansion Program
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6 June 2024 · Unit4
Unit4 Achieves Outstanding Results in BARC’s ‘The Planning Survey 24’
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20 March 2024 · Unit4
Unit4 Launches Smart Automation Services to Support Vision for Intelligent Light Touch ERP
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14 March 2024
S&P Global Ratings Upgrades Unit4 Credit Rating and Issues Positive Outlook
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27 February 2024 · Unit4
Unit4 Outlook Rating Increased by Moody’s Investor’s Services
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26 February 2024 · Unit4
Unit4 Ranked as #1 in Dresner’s Advisory Services Workforce Planning and Analytics Market Study
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13 February 2024 · Unit4
Unit4 Named as a Major Player in two IDC MarketScape Reports
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4 November 2023 · ERP Today
Unit4’s Experience4U event is back for a third year, showcasing finance and HR solutions
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25 October 2023 · The Software Report
The Top 50 SaaS CEOs of 2023
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23 October 2023 · ERP Today
ERP Today Live! with Unit4’s Mike Ettling
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6 October 2023 · Forbes
Building Individual Resilience For Organizational Success
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11 September 2023 · Forbes
Leading Organizational Resilience: How To Develop Good Gut Health
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26 August 2023 · CEOWorld Magazine
The Business Case for Intelligent Transformation
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25 August 2023 · Solutions Review
Top 3 Ways AI-Powered ERP Software Can Drive Positive Change
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24 August 2023 · Computing
BRICS plan to end dollar's dominance is just one of many shocks to come, says Unit4 CEO
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31 July 2023 · Diginomica
Unit4 CEO Mike Ettling on enterprise resilience, ChatGPT, and the BRICS effect
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28 July 2023 · Forbes
Organizational Resilience and Operating at the Speed Of AI
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20 July 2023 · Datanami
How AI Will Impact ERP Software
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28 June 2023 · Forbes
Intelligent Transformation In A Multipolar World: Why Organizational Resilience Is Critical
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13 June 2023 · Unit4
Chatter about ChatGPT
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6 June 2023 · EnterpriseAlumni
The ALUMS Conference 2023
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10 May 2023 · UNLEASH America
Strategic Growth and Selling a HR Tech Company: Tales from the Frontline with Mike Ettling
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19 April 2023 · CEOWorld Magazine
Five Ways CEOs Can Upgrade Organizational Resilience
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9 February 2023 · Unit4
Unit4 named a winner in the Dresner Advisory Services Technology Innovation Awards
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17 January 2023 · Enterprise Times
Unit4 adds Marketplace to ERP and ERPx ecosystem
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19 October 2022 · The Software Report
The Top 50 SaaS CEOs of 2022
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1 June 2022 · Unit4
Unit4 Announces Acquisition of Scanmarket
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16 December 2021 · The Future Organization
The CEO of Unit4 on Leading With Purpose, Hybrid Work, & The Human Side of Technology
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18 November 2021 · Diginomica
Unit4 CEO Mike Ettling on cloud adoption, and the non-negotiable principles of vertical ERP
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16 November 2021 · Unit4
Unit4 Acquires Compright, Extending its “Right for your Business†Capabilities
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29 October 2021 · Diginomica
Unit4 CEO Mike Ettling on the stale, the bad and the agile in midmarket ERP
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15 September 2021 · CEO Magazine
People Experience Solutions: Mike Ettling
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In Frame
Gallery
Formative Years
Education
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London Business School
Masters in Finance, Private Equity
2000 — 2001
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University of the Witwatersrand
Bachelor of Accounting, Auditing
1986 — 1986
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University of the Witwatersrand
Bachelor of Commerce, Accounting, Finance
1983 — 1985
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Institute of Chartered Accountants
Member
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The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants
Member
Areas Of Focus