29 July 2025

Corporate Europe is increasingly in favour of hiring home‑grown tech suppliers, especially for cloud, cybersecurity, and data infrastructure services. A recent BARC study found that 84% of European companies consider data sovereignty a central strategic priority, with 70% reporting increased importance in just the past year or two. Nearly half of those surveyed cite U.S. legislation inconsistencies as a key risk, and 36% plan to rely more on regional or local providers, particularly in the DACH region where adoption intentions hit 41%.

Responding to these developments, Deloitte and STACKIT (the cloud provider of the Schwarz Group) have announced a strategic partnership aimed at supporting companies and public institutions in establishing secure, legally compliant, and economically independent cloud and data infrastructures within Europe. Amid escalating geopolitical tensions and growing concerns over digital dependencies, this collaboration signals a commitment to European values of data protection, transparency, and control.

"Digital sovereignty is the prerequisite for competitiveness and innovative strength in Europe," emphasized Volker Krug, CEO of Deloitte Germany. "This partnership is not only a commitment to European values, but also a concrete promise of action: for resilient infrastructures, trustworthy AI, and a future in which Europe builds digital sovereignty. STACKIT brings the sovereign technological platform and scalability, while Deloitte complements this with in-depth consulting expertise, regulatory know-how, industry understanding, and implementation knowledge."

In an interview with MoveTheNeedle.news, Mathias Brandes, Head of Corporate Communications & Responsibility at Deloitte Germany, highlighted the longstanding relationship between Deloitte and the Schwarz Group, stating, "Deloitte has always been close to the Schwarz Group and Schwarz IT since the idea of building its own cloud infrastructure. The strategic partnership reflects our shared commitment to further intensify the partnership to strengthen the sovereignty of German and European companies and public institutions. As a German and economically independent company, STACKIT represents an essential component of our cloud and data sovereignty strategy."

Understanding the Partnership

The alliance between Deloitte and STACKIT combines deep capabilities across cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), data governance, and compliance. By integrating STACKIT's sovereign cloud solutions with Deloitte's strategic consulting services, the partnership aims to offer a comprehensive approach to digital transformation for European entities.

Brandes elaborated on the customer-centric approach shared by both organizations: "We always put the customer first. In this, Deloitte acts as a Trusted Advisor and STACKIT as a Trusted Infrastructure Provider. Our ambition is to do what truly matters every day – for our customers, employees, and society. STACKIT shares this ambition as well."

STACKIT: A Brief Overview

Launched in 2018, STACKIT was developed to expedite the digital transformation of the Schwarz Group, which owns major European retailers Lidl and Kaufland. Initially serving internal needs, STACKIT has since expanded its services to external partners and customers in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland). With data centres located exclusively in Germany and Austria, STACKIT offers cloud services that emphasize data sovereignty, security, and compliance with European standards.

In September 2024, STACKIT became a separate legal entity within the Schwarz Group's IT and digital division, Schwarz Digits, further solidifying its position as a key player in Europe's cloud infrastructure landscape.

The Imperative of Digital Sovereignty in Europe

The concept of digital sovereignty has gained prominence in Europe, particularly in light of concerns over reliance on non-European technology providers and the extraterritorial reach of foreign data laws, such as the U.S. CLOUD Act. Digital sovereignty refers to the ability of a state or region to control its own digital infrastructure, data, and technologies, ensuring that they align with local laws, values, and interests.

The European Union has recognized digital sovereignty as a strategic priority, aiming to reduce dependencies on foreign technology providers and to foster homegrown innovation. Initiatives like the Digital Decade Policy Programme and the proposed €300 billion EuroStack infrastructure plan reflect this commitment to building a resilient and autonomous digital ecosystem in Europe.

Use Cases and Future Outlook

The partnership between Deloitte and STACKIT fits in with these developments. Together they plan to address various use cases, including the development of multi-cloud strategies for government agencies, where sensitive data can be securely stored on STACKIT's infrastructure. Additionally, the integration of platforms like ServiceNow on STACKIT enables the creation of sovereign IT service management systems.

Given STACKIT's EU-based, ISO-certified, and GDPR-compliant infrastructure, Deloitte ensures that cross-border clients can meet EU data sovereignty and compliance obligations. Brandes explained, "We provide comprehensive advice to clients concerning their cloud infrastructure, always taking regional obligations into account. Our teams have extensive knowledge of regulatory conditions to help international clients meeting the EU laws."

Looking ahead, the partnership anticipates the inclusion of more partners from Deloitte’s ecosystem becoming available on STACKIT. "We will build the bridges between our clients and the technology providers," Brandes stated, emphasizing the collaborative approach to expanding Europe's sovereign digital capabilities.

Conclusion

The strategic alliance between Deloitte and STACKIT is a good example of how corporate Europe is taking steps towards achieving digital sovereignty. By combining secure, locally operated cloud infrastructure with expert consulting services, the partnership aims to empower European companies and public institutions to navigate the digital landscape with greater autonomy, security, and compliance.

As Europe continues to prioritize digital independence, collaborations like this can play an important role in shaping a future where technological innovation aligns with regional values and strategic interests.