DeepL Appoints Former Salesforce and ServiceNow Executives to Enhance International Growth Strategy

DeepL Strengthens Leadership with Key Appointments

In a significant move to foster international growth, DeepL, the leading AI research and product company, has officially announced the appointments of former Salesforce and ServiceNow executives, Gavin Mee as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Detlef Krause as Chief Revenue Officer (CRO). These strategic decisions mark a crucial step in DeepL's vision to revolutionize AI business solutions and expand its global footprint.

A New Year with Strong Leadership

As DeepL embarks on its journey in 2026, CEO and founder Jarek Kutylowski expressed confidence in this robust leadership lineup, stating, "With Gavin and Detlef joining our executive team, we are entering the new year with the strongest possible foundation to drive the adoption of DeepL's AI solutions for businesses." Their extensive expertise is expected to be instrumental in scaling operations, driving innovations for clients, and solidifying DeepL's status as a global frontrunner in AI products and research.

Detlef Krause: The New CRO

Joining DeepL as CRO, Detlef Krause brings over 25 years of sales leadership experience acquired from top roles in industry giants like Microsoft, Salesforce, SAP, and ServiceNow. Krause has a proven track record of successfully rebuilding and expanding international organizations. His notable contributions at ServiceNow involved significantly growing the German operations from 150 to over 500 employees and doubling the EMEA core team size, establishing a strong market presence.

Expressing enthusiasm about his new role, Krause stated, "From my initial conversations with the DeepL team, it was clear I was joining one of the most innovative AI companies in Europe and an extraordinary team. This is the start of something truly exciting."

Assuming the role from David Parry-Jones, who is retiring after a distinguished career, Krause aims to elevate DeepL’s market position. Jarek praised Parry-Jones' substantial contributions, noting, "David has set a high benchmark with his leadership and commitment to our success in AI-driven communication. We are deeply grateful and wish him the very best in his retirement."

Gavin Mee: The New COO

Gavin Mee steps in as COO, having previously held key executive positions in notable tech firms like Salesforce, Oracle, Adobe, UiPath, and Palo Alto Networks. At DeepL, Mee's primary focus will be on operational excellence, ensuring team coordination, and maximizing the organization's potential. Furthermore, he will play a crucial role in formulating DeepL's go-to-market strategy while fostering collaboration across engineering, research, and marketing teams.

"I am thrilled to join DeepL at such an exciting juncture," said Mee. "The company boasts an incredible product, a passionate team, and an audacious vision for the future. My goal is to evolve our operations and work methods, ensuring we meet customer expectations while maximizing value for our investors and partners. Together, we will build a top-tier organization that continues to lead the AI communications sector. DeepL is at the forefront of innovation, and I look forward to helping the company widen its international impact."

Looking Ahead: The Future of AI Communication

These leadership changes come on the heels of DeepL’s remarkable 2025, marked by significant product expansions, including the launch of their ground-breaking AI Agent and the introduction of the Customization Hub. With sustained momentum, DeepL is set to expand its AI solutions throughout Europe and beyond in 2026, delivering transformative innovations that will redefine how businesses and individuals communicate and collaborate using AI.

About DeepL

Established in 2017, DeepL is a remarkable AI research and product company focused on developing safe and intelligent solutions for complex professional challenges. With a linguistic AI platform that has gained the trust of over 200,000 professional clients and millions of users across 228 markets worldwide, DeepL is acclaimed for its translation quality, text enhancements, and real-time voice translation capabilities. Building on its legacy of innovation, quality, and security, DeepL is expanding beyond linguistic services with the introduction of DeepL Agent, an autonomous AI designed to transform workflows for businesses and professionals. Currently employing over 1,000 staff and backed by prominent investors like Benchmark, IVP, and Index Ventures, DeepL is committed to leading the future of AI in communication.