SOPRA STERIA

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European consulting, digital services and software group focused on large-scale digital transformation.

Last updated November 4, 2026

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Overview

Sopra Steria is a France-based European technology services group providing consulting, systems integration, digital platforms, software and business process services. The company was created through the combination of Sopra and Steria, two French information-technology businesses with separate histories dating from 1968 and 1969. The transaction was announced in April 2014, implemented in August 2014 and legally completed on 31 December 2014. The merged group adopted the Sopra Steria name and positioned itself as a broad European provider able to combine management advice, technology delivery, software assets and ongoing operational services. The business serves public administrations and regulated or infrastructure-intensive sectors as well as commercial enterprises. Its historical areas of activity include banking and financial services, public services, defence and security, transport, telecommunications, utilities, aerospace, retail, manufacturing, human resources and real-estate management. Rather than operating primarily as a consumer-facing product brand, Sopra Steria sells complex projects and long-term service relationships to large organisations. Its work can include business and technology consulting, enterprise architecture, application modernisation, cloud migration, cybersecurity, data and artificial intelligence, software engineering, infrastructure operations and business-process outsourcing. The group’s consulting activity is organised under the Sopra Steria Next brand. Next combines management consulting with digital-transformation expertise and operates across multiple European markets. In 2025, Sopra Steria announced the acquisition of Aurexia, a consulting firm specialising in financial services, and completed the transaction on 30 April 2025. Sopra Steria Next also launched in Italy in 2024 and introduced the CIO Compass editorial initiative in 2025 as part of its effort to engage technology leaders around transformation priorities. Sopra Steria has expanded through a long sequence of acquisitions. Earlier deals strengthened its banking software, human-resources, aerospace, engineering, cybersecurity and systems-integration capabilities. Notable transactions included the acquisition of Xansa by Steria in 2007, the creation and later separation of Axway Software from Sopra, the purchases of CIMPA, Cassiopae, Kentor, 2MoRO, Galitt, SAB, Sodifrance, Fidor Solutions, EVA Group, EGGS Design and CS Group, and the 2023 acquisitions of Ordina, Tobania and MarinIT. The group also operates or has operated joint ventures and business-process services entities connected with public-sector and healthcare administration. The company has remained publicly listed while retaining a strong employee and founder-family influence through Sopra GMT and employee share ownership. Its historical identity is associated with long-term client relationships, sector expertise and the ability to deliver major public and private-sector transformation programmes. As of 31 December 2025, the group reported more than 51,000 employees across more than 26 countries. Its current offer is structured around systems integration, digital platform services, business-process services, consulting and software or solutions, with systems integration representing the largest activity in the group’s 2025 business mix. Sopra Steria’s reputation has also been shaped by operational controversies. A 2020 Ryuk ransomware attack disrupted parts of the group’s information systems. In the United Kingdom, the NHS Shared Business Services venture faced criticism over a backlog of undelivered or missing administrative documents, including potentially clinically significant records. In Belgium, the federal police terminated the i-Police digitisation programme in late 2025 after substantial public expenditure and continuing disputes over delivery, governance and technical responsibility. Sopra Steria Belgium rejected the allegations and argued in 2026 that substantial work had been completed within the agreed contractual framework. Rajesh Krishnamurthy became Sopra Steria Group’s chief executive officer on 1 February 2026, following the departure of Cyril Malargé in October 2025 and an interim period led by Xavier Pecquet. The group continues to present itself as a major European technology partner for organisations seeking end-to-end transformation, with particular emphasis on sovereign and critical infrastructure technology, cybersecurity, cloud, artificial intelligence, public services and financial-services modernisation.

History

Sopra Steria’s history is rooted in two French technology companies. Sopra was founded in January 1968 by Pierre Pasquier, François Odin and Léo Gantelet. Steria was founded in 1969 by Jean Carteron. Their early development reflected the growth of computerisation in French business and government, but the two companies followed different paths before becoming partners in a single group. Sopra initially developed consulting, IT services and software activities from Annecy. In 1971, it won a major banking managed-services agreement, and the following year it delivered a banking platform. Its growth was supported by expansion into business applications and sector-specific software. Sopra later established Axway as a software subsidiary to address enterprise application integration and related infrastructure markets. Axway was subsequently separated from Sopra through a 2011 stock-market listing. Steria built a strong position in public services, finance, telecommunications, utilities and transport. In 1973, it computerised Agence France-Presse with a text-processing system designed to support real-time information transmission. After acquiring Sitintel in 1974, Steria contributed to the development of Minitel-related technology. It won a major national public-sector project from the French Ministry of the Interior in 1986. Its automation work for Paris’s RER A helped demonstrate its ability to deliver mission-critical transport systems. Steria’s expansion led to a listing on the Paris stock exchange in 1990. François Enaud became chairman and chief executive officer in 1998, and the company acquired several French service and telecommunications businesses in 2000. In 2001, Steria created the Fondation Steria to support community-oriented initiatives. Its largest international step came in July 2007, when it acquired the UK IT outsourcing and technology company Xansa for £472 million in cash. The transaction expanded Steria’s presence in the United Kingdom, India and other international markets. Sopra also pursued acquisitions across consulting, engineering, software and IT services. Transactions included SG2 Ingénierie, Orga Consultants, ITI, CS Rand, Inforsud Ingénierie, Valoris, Newell & Budge, PROFit, CIBF, Delta Informatique, Callataÿ & Wouters, HR Access and COR&FJA Banking Solutions. These deals broadened the company’s reach in financial services, human resources, enterprise applications and international delivery. The decisive turning point came in April 2014, when Sopra and Steria announced plans to combine. The transaction was completed in August 2014 and the legal merger took effect on 31 December 2014. The new Sopra Steria Group sought to combine Sopra’s consulting, software and business-application capabilities with Steria’s public-sector, outsourcing and infrastructure expertise. The combined organisation retained a substantial French base but operated across a much broader European footprint. After the merger, the group continued an acquisition-led expansion strategy. It acquired CIMPA in 2015, Cassiopae, Kentor, 2MoRO and Galitt in 2017, BLUECARAT and Sword Apak in 2018, SAB in 2019, Sodifrance and Fidor Solutions in 2020, and EVA Group, EGGS Design and Labs in 2021. CS Group was acquired in 2022, while Ordina, Tobania and MarinIT strengthened the group’s Benelux and Nordic capabilities in 2023. Sopra Steria also maintained important business-process activities through entities such as NHS Shared Business Services and Shared Services Connected Ltd. The group’s strategy increasingly emphasised the combination of consulting and delivery. Sopra Steria Next became the consulting identity for management and digital transformation work, while the wider group continued to organise activities around systems integration, digital platforms, business-process services and software or solutions. Sopra Steria Next expanded into Italy in 2024 and pursued further financial-services consulting scale through the acquisition of Aurexia, completed in April 2025. Sopra Steria also changed the composition of its software portfolio. In September 2024, it divested Sopra Banking Software to Axway in a transaction valued at €330 million. Following the transaction, the business was rebranded SBS in October 2024. The disposal reflected a closer relationship between Sopra Steria and Axway while allowing Sopra Steria to focus more directly on consulting, integration, managed services and transformation delivery. The company’s recent history has included both technological resilience challenges and public-sector scrutiny. A Ryuk ransomware attack detected in October 2020 forced the group to undertake recovery actions. The NHS Shared Business Services document backlog generated criticism and parliamentary examination in the United Kingdom. The Belgian i-Police programme, awarded in 2021, became a major controversy after the Belgian authorities terminated it in late 2025. Sopra Steria Belgium rejected claims that it had failed to perform and stated in February 2026 that work had been delivered under agreed governance and contractual arrangements. Leadership has evolved alongside the group’s expansion. Vincent Paris served as chief executive officer before Cyril Malargé took the role in March 2022. Malargé left in October 2025, after which Xavier Pecquet led an interim management arrangement. Rajesh Krishnamurthy became chief executive officer on 1 February 2026. Pierre Pasquier, Sopra’s co-founder, remains chairman of the board and continues to be associated with the group’s long-term entrepreneurial and shareholder structure.

2026
Rajesh Krishnamurthy takes office as CEO
[3]Sopra Steria Executive Managementsoprasteria.com
Rajesh Krishnamurthy becomes Sopra Steria Group’s chief executive officer on 1 February 2026.
2025
Aurexia acquisition is completed
[2]Sopra Steria 2025 Universal Registration Documentsoprasteria.com
Sopra Steria completes the acquisition of financial-services consulting firm Aurexia on 30 April 2025.
2025
Sopra Steria announces a new group CEO
[5]Sopra Steria appoints Rajesh Krishnamurthy as CEOsoprasteria.com
Rajesh Krishnamurthy is appointed to become group chief executive officer in February 2026.
2025
Belgium terminates the i-Police programme
[15]Belgium terminates the i-Police programmebrusselstimes.com
Belgian authorities terminate the police digitisation programme after years of development, public criticism and reported expenditure of approximately €75.8 million.
2024
Sopra Steria Next expands into Italy
[6]Launch of Sopra Steria Next Italysoprasteria.com
The consulting division launches in Italy as part of the group’s broader European consulting strategy.
2024
Sopra Banking Software is divested to Axway
[1]Sopra Steriaen.wikipedia.org
Sopra Steria announces the divestment of Sopra Banking Software to Axway in a transaction valued at €330 million; the business is subsequently rebranded SBS.
2023
Ordina, Tobania and MarinIT strengthen the group
[1]Sopra Steriaen.wikipedia.org
These acquisitions expand Sopra Steria’s capabilities and geographic reach, particularly in the Benelux and maritime technology domains.
2022
Cyril Malargé becomes chief executive officer
[14]Cyril Malargé becomes chief executive officersoprasteria.com
Cyril Malargé succeeds Vincent Paris as group CEO, effective 1 March 2022.
2020
Sopra Steria detects a Ryuk ransomware attack
[13]Sopra Steria detects a Ryuk ransomware attacksoprasteria.fr
A previously unidentified Ryuk variant affects parts of the company’s information systems and prompts a recovery programme.
2015
CIMPA is acquired
[1]Sopra Steriaen.wikipedia.org
The acquisition strengthens engineering, aerospace and industrial digital-services capabilities.
2014
Sopra and Steria announce their merger
[1]Sopra Steriaen.wikipedia.org
The two groups announce a combination designed to create a larger European consulting and digital-services provider.
2014
Sopra Steria Group is legally formed
[1]Sopra Steriaen.wikipedia.org
The legal merger is completed on 31 December 2014, creating the Sopra Steria Group.
2011
Axway separates and lists independently
[12]Sopra establishes Axwayen.wikipedia.org
Axway is spun out of Sopra and becomes a separately listed software company on Euronext Paris.
2007
Steria acquires Xansa
[11]Steria is foundeden.wikipedia.org
The acquisition expands Steria’s outsourcing and technology-services presence in the United Kingdom, India and other international markets.
2001
Sopra establishes Axway
[12]Sopra establishes Axwayen.wikipedia.org
Sopra creates Axway as a software subsidiary to expand into enterprise application integration and related infrastructure software.
1990
Steria lists on the Paris stock exchange
[1]Sopra Steriaen.wikipedia.org
Steria’s transport automation work and growth support its registration on the Second Market of the Paris stock exchange.
1986
Steria wins a major French Interior Ministry project
[1]Sopra Steriaen.wikipedia.org
The project strengthens Steria’s position in large-scale public-sector information systems.
1973
Steria computerises Agence France-Presse
[1]Sopra Steriaen.wikipedia.org
Steria develops a text-processing system supporting real-time transmission of information for the French news agency.
1971
Sopra wins a major banking managed-services agreement
[1]Sopra Steriaen.wikipedia.org
The contract leads to the development of a banking platform and establishes an enduring financial-services orientation for Sopra.
1969
Steria is founded
[11]Steria is foundeden.wikipedia.org
Jean Carteron establishes Steria, which develops into a major provider to public services, finance, transport, utilities and telecommunications.
1968
Sopra is founded
[1]Sopra Steriaen.wikipedia.org
Pierre Pasquier, François Odin and Léo Gantelet establish Sopra in France, initially building a consulting and information-technology services business.

Products and positioning

A European end-to-end digital transformation partner combining consulting, technology implementation, software, cloud operations and business-process services for large organisations and public authorities.

Management consulting and digital transformation
Sopra Steria Next
Sopra Steria Next is the group’s consulting brand. It combines management consulting, business transformation, technology strategy and digital-delivery expertise for organisations undertaking large-scale change. Its work covers operating-model redesign, customer and employee experience, data and artificial intelligence, sustainability, technology modernisation and sector-specific transformation. The brand operates across Europe and is intended to connect advisory work with Sopra Steria’s implementation and managed-services capabilities.
IT services · 2014
Systems integration services
Systems integration is Sopra Steria’s largest operating domain. The service includes enterprise-application development, systems modernisation, integration of legacy platforms, cloud migration, data engineering, architecture, testing and technology operations. Sopra Steria applies these capabilities to public-sector systems, financial institutions, transport networks, defence and security environments, utilities, telecommunications and commercial enterprises.
Cloud and infrastructure services
Digital platform and cloud services
The group provides cloud adoption, infrastructure management, digital workplace, platform engineering and application operations. These services support clients moving from legacy environments to hybrid or public-cloud architectures while maintaining security, resilience and regulatory controls. The offering is particularly relevant to organisations with complex estates and critical or highly regulated workloads.
Enterprise software
Software and solutions
Sopra Steria develops and implements sector-oriented software and business solutions, historically including banking, human-resources, real-estate and aerospace applications. The software activity complements consulting and integration by providing configurable platforms and domain functionality. The group divested Sopra Banking Software to Axway in 2024, but continues to maintain software and solutions capabilities across selected sectors.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity services
Sopra Steria provides cybersecurity consulting, security architecture, monitoring, identity and access management, resilience, incident response and secure transformation services. The activity supports public authorities, critical infrastructure operators and large enterprises whose systems must meet demanding operational and regulatory requirements.
Business process outsourcing
Business process services
Business-process services cover the operation or administration of selected client processes, often in public administration, healthcare, finance and corporate support functions. Group-related entities and joint ventures have delivered shared-services and outsourcing programmes in the United Kingdom and other European markets.

Controversies

2026
Belgian i-Police damages dispute
The Belgian federal police reportedly sought damages from Sopra Steria in relation to the terminated i-Police programme. The matter concerns alleged delivery failures and the financial consequences of the project’s cancellation; public reporting described the claim as approximately €179 million.
Source
2025
Termination of Belgium’s i-Police programme
Belgian authorities terminated the i-Police programme, a planned modernisation and unification of police databases and information systems. Media and official statements described a project that had absorbed substantial public funds without delivering the intended operational result. Sopra Steria Belgium disputed responsibility for the failure, stating that work had been completed within the agreed governance and contractual framework.
Source
2019
Concerns over UK immigration biometric-services contract
UK parliamentarians raised concerns about Sopra Steria’s contract for immigration application and biometric services after allegations involving service quality and high charges to vulnerable applicants. MPs sought an urgent examination by the National Audit Office.
Source
2017
NHS Shared Business Services document backlog
A UK National Audit Office inquiry and subsequent parliamentary scrutiny examined a backlog of undelivered NHS paperwork at NHS Shared Business Services, a joint venture involving Sopra Steria. The reported missing material potentially included patient records and cancer-test documents, and the inquiry criticised the company’s handling of information and cooperation with investigators.
Source

2025CIO Compass
Europe
Sopra Steria Next launched CIO Compass as an editorial and engagement initiative focused on helping technology leaders navigate rapid digital and organisational change.
Outcome. The initiative provided a thought-leadership platform for the consulting brand and supported its positioning among CIOs and transformation executives.
Source
2024Launch of Sopra Steria Next Italy
Italy
Sopra Steria introduced its Next consulting model in Italy to combine local management consulting with the group’s European digital-transformation network.
Outcome. The launch expanded the geographic footprint of Sopra Steria Next and reinforced the group’s strategy of growing consulting alongside technology delivery.
Source

Brand decisions

2025
Acquire AurexiaM&A
Background
Sopra Steria aimed to expand consulting capacity and financial-services expertise in order to support major transformation programmes for banks and other financial institutions.
Action taken
The group completed the acquisition of Aurexia on 30 April 2025 after announcing exclusive negotiations in January.
Aftermath
Aurexia strengthened Sopra Steria Next’s financial-services consulting proposition and increased the group’s specialist capabilities in regulated transformation projects.
Source
2025
Strengthen sovereign and critical-technology activitiesStrategy
Background
European governments and critical-infrastructure operators increasingly prioritised defence, security, resilience and control over strategic digital technologies.
Action taken
Sopra Steria expanded leadership attention around defence, security and space, and in 2026 appointed Laura Chaubard to lead the vertical.
Aftermath
The move reinforced the group’s positioning in public-sector and mission-critical technology, with the vertical representing a significant share of group activity.
Source
2024
Divest Sopra Banking Software to AxwayM&A
Background
Sopra Steria reorganised its software portfolio and sought to focus more directly on consulting, systems integration, digital platforms and managed transformation services.
Action taken
The group divested Sopra Banking Software to Axway in a transaction valued at €330 million. The business was subsequently rebranded SBS.
Aftermath
The transaction deepened the relationship between Sopra Steria and Axway while removing the banking-software business from Sopra Steria’s direct operating scope.
Transaction value. €330 million (2024)
Source
2014
Merge Sopra and SteriaM&A
Background
Both companies sought greater scale and a broader combination of consulting, software, systems integration and outsourcing capabilities in the European technology-services market.
Action taken
Sopra and Steria combined to form Sopra Steria Group, with the legal merger completed on 31 December 2014.
Aftermath
The merger created the group’s current corporate identity and enabled a wider European operating footprint and service portfolio.
Source

Recent events

2026
Laura Chaubard appointed to lead Defence, Security and Space[16]Strengthen sovereign and critical-technology activitiessoprasteria.com
Leadership change
Sopra Steria appointed Laura Chaubard to lead its Defence, Security and Space vertical from 1 September 2026, with the appointment including membership of the group executive committee.
2025
Sopra Steria Next introduces the CIO Compass[7]Sopra Steria Next unveils the CIO Compasssoprasteria.com
Campaign · Product launch
Sopra Steria Next launched the CIO Compass editorial initiative to address the strategic and organisational challenges faced by chief information officers during accelerated technology transformation.
2025
Sopra Steria announces Aurexia acquisition[17]Sopra Steria宣布收购Aurexiasoprasteria.com
M&A
The group entered exclusive negotiations to acquire Aurexia, a financial-services management consulting firm, strengthening Sopra Steria Next and its financial-institutions offering.
2025
Rajesh Krishnamurthy appointed chief executive officer[5]Sopra Steria appoints Rajesh Krishnamurthy as CEOsoprasteria.com
Leadership change
Sopra Steria announced that Rajesh Krishnamurthy would become group chief executive officer in February 2026, following a leadership transition after Cyril Malargé’s departure.
2025
Sopra Steria completes Aurexia acquisition[18]Sopra Steria完成对Aurexia的收购businesswire.com
M&A
Sopra Steria announced completion of its acquisition of Aurexia, adding specialist management consultants and strengthening Sopra Steria Next's financial-services consulting capabilities in France.
2024
Sopra Steria launches Sopra Steria Next in Italy[6]Launch of Sopra Steria Next Italysoprasteria.com
Product launch
The group expanded its Next consulting model into Italy, adding a local platform for management consulting and digital transformation services.
2024
Sopra Steria announces alliance with CEA[19]Sopra Steria宣布与CEA结盟matrixbcg.com
Other
The group announced a strategic alliance with the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission, initially targeting defense and security and potentially extending to space and nuclear energy.
2022
Inspiring women @ Sopra Steria campaign[20]“鼓舞人心的女性@Sopra Steria”活动soprasteria.com
Campaign
The campaign used roundtables and employee stories to promote gender diversity and encourage women's participation in technology careers.
2020
Sopra Steria suffers Ryuk ransomware attack[13]Sopra Steria detects a Ryuk ransomware attacksoprasteria.fr
Other
The company detected a cyberattack involving a previously unidentified variant of Ryuk ransomware. The incident affected parts of the group’s information systems and required recovery measures.
2014
Sopra and Steria announce their combination[1]Sopra Steriaen.wikipedia.org
M&A · Other
Sopra and Steria announced a transaction intended to create a larger European technology-services group. The legal merger was completed on 31 December 2014.

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