Tech leader who transforms ambitious ideas into sustainable businesses. Successfully led digital transformations for global companies while building ventures that prioritize human connection over pure tech.
Throughout my 25-year career, I've mastered the art of leading through the intricacies of technology and management, accumulating vast experience in strategic planning and hands-on technical development. Unlike the traditional high-level strategizing typical of CTO roles, my passion lies in immersing myself within the technical trenches, working alongside talented teams to design and execute cutting-edge solutions.
I am eager to apply this blend of strategic leadership and technical expertise, aiming to drive innovation, enhance team capabilities, and lead projects that push the boundaries of what's possible in technology.
This approach is more than just management; it's about staying intimately connected with the pulse of technology and nurturing a creative, hands-on environment that turns ambitious ideas into reality.
1974Birth.1984Delved into coding.1999Failed my first startup in science popularization.2010Co-founded an IT services company, Paris/Beijing.2017Led a transformation plan for SwitchUp in Berlin.Nov 2025Launched Nook.coach — conversations that shape healthier habits.
Skills
Strategic Thinking
My background in basic physics has been crucial in developing my analytical skills. At SwitchUp, I led a significant transformation plan that demanded a creative approach — juggling short-term operational needs while steadily steering towards a new architecture, within limited resources.
Technical Expertise
Technology serves a role that extends beyond merely supporting business functions; it is a fundamental driver of business expansion and innovation. A profound, hands-on understanding of technological capabilities is key to creativity.
Reliability
Deeply committed to clients and their projects, delivering quality work with keen attention to detail. Transparent communication builds trust-based relationships — a dependable resource, even in challenging situations.
Cross-Cultural Management
My career has largely unfolded in diverse, multicultural settings — facilitating French companies' entry into China in the 1990s, founding a company there in the 2010s, and more recently collaborating with a Berlin startup and a team of Russian developers.
Metrics
Second Bureau, Beijing — hired and directly managed 17 individuals. Over a three-year span, only one person chose to leave, against an average six-month turnover rate in China at the time.
Generali, 2007 — directly oversaw a tight-knit group of 12 (internal and outsourced), with broader responsibility for roughly 30 team members.
Industries & Markets
Energy / German Market
Six years leading a transformation plan for SwitchUp, overhauling the energy market in Germany — adapting technology to the sector's regulatory frameworks and market dynamics.
China
A connection begun in the late 90s with the French Chamber of Commerce, continued through co-founding a ready-to-wear fashion brand produced in Beijing.
Bank and Insurance
Early 2000s roles at BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole, Generali, and Natixis — business intelligence and performance management in the IARD sector.
Real Estate
Oversight of a family-owned enterprise holding 8 properties — a personal interest, with a solid grasp of market dynamics rather than industry-expert claims.
25 Years in IT: a Journey of Expertise
Product Lead · Nook(Lisbon/Remote)
Building the future of health coaching — leading product and go-to-market for a platform that makes personal wellness accessible through natural dialogue.
AI Enthusiast & Explorer · My Own Adventures(Lisbon/Remote)
Ambitious personal projects exploring machine learning and the frontiers of AI, on my own terms.
Hands-On CTO · SwitchUp(Berlin/Remote)
Led a transformative shift from a monolithic Rails application to a scalable, high-load microservices architecture — from 0 to 200,000 regular customers, optimizing up to 30,000 plans a month.
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SwitchUp
SwitchUp is dedicated to creating a smart assistant designed to oversee customer energy contracts, consistently searching the market for better offers.
Role:
In my role as Hands-On CTO, I:
- Architected a future-proof microservices-based solution.
- Developed and championed a multi-year roadmap for tech development.
- Built and managed a high-performing engineering team.
- Contributed directly to maintaining and evolving the legacy system for optimal performance.
Challenges:
Balancing short-term needs with long-term vision was crucial for this rapidly scaling business. Resource constraints demanded strategic prioritization. Addressing urgent requirements like launching new collaborations quickly could compromise long-term architectural stability and scalability, potentially hindering future integration and codebase sustainability.
Technologies:
Proficient in Ruby (versions 2 and 3), Ruby on Rails (versions 4 to 7), AWS, Heroku, Redis, Tailwind CSS, JWT, and implementing microservices architectures.
Over the past six years, I've had the opportunity of working closely with Gilles, who has been pivotal in managing the technological developments at SwitchUp during a period of intense growth. His role was crucial in navigating the challenges that came with our rapid growth, regularly working beyond expectations to ensure our success. He has literally carried a big part of our organization on his shoulders, demonstrating a remarkable can-do attitude and exceptional willingness to work in a hands-on manner whenever required.
I deeply appreciate what Gilles has contributed to the development of SwitchUp and it has been an honor to work alongside Gilles for such a long time. Hence, I wholeheartedly recommend him to any organization looking to benefit from his exceptional dedication and many talents.
Arik Meyer, Founder at SwitchUp.de
CTO / Managing Director Asia · Second Bureau(Beijing/Paris)
Assisted local, state-owned, and international companies in crafting digital marketing strategies. Hired and managed a team of 17 engineers.
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Second Bureau was a French company that I founded with a partner experienced in the e-retail. Rooted in agile methods, we assisted our clients in making or optimizing their internet presence - e-commerce, m-commerce and social marketing. Our multicultural teams located in Beijing and Paris supported French companies in their ventures into the Chinese market.
IT Project Leader · Micropole(Paris)
Business Intelligence & e-Business project leader for Generali — a team of 12 within a 75-member department, on projects involving up to 100 people.
BI Deputy Project Leader · Unilog(Paris)
IT consulting, engineering and training at one of the top 10 operators in the French market.
Founder · Popsciences(Beijing/Paris)
Designed and set up a website covering scientific research — market studies, product specification, and external financing, end to end.
Additional Professional Milestones
Real Estate Management · Moulin de Gratteloup(France)
In a family-owned company overseeing 10 properties in France, I am responsible for budgeting and accounting processes. To streamline these operations, I implemented a custom Rails-based solution, enhancing efficiency and management capabilities. Currently exploring AI-based enhancements.
Co-Founder of a Ready-to-Wear Fashion Brand · Que pour vous(Beijing/Paris)
I co-founded a French fashion label based in Paris with a Chinese designer. We expanded into the Western European market, with our products sold in 50+ stores. Production was primarily in Beijing and Shanghai, and we operated a boutique in Shanghai. I also handled import/export accounting for the business.
Executive Manager · French Chamber of Commerce(Beijing)
Designed and organized training sessions for expatriates. Assisted top management in budgeting for new projects. Ensured that budgets and deadlines were respected. On the technical side, designed, installed, configured and maintained a Linux-based LAN network. Implemented a new MS Access-based solution. Also responsible for ongoing maintenance and the help desk. Managed a team of 6 people.
Companies I've Led
