Sapiens Moves HQ to London and Slashes 800 Jobs
Sapiens International Corporation, a long-standing leader in the insurance technology (InsurTech) sector, is undergoing a radical transformation following its $2.5 billion acquisition by the American private equity firm Advent International.
The completion of the deal in mid-December 2025 has immediately triggered a series of aggressive restructuring moves, including massive workforce reductions, the replacement of nearly its entire senior leadership team, and the relocation of its global headquarters from Israel to the United Kingdom.
Sapiens Massive Layoffs: 15% Workforce Reduction Imminent
As part of a “100-day transformation plan” initiated by Advent, Sapiens is preparing to cut approximately 700 to 800 jobs, representing roughly 15% of its 5,400-person global workforce.
The layoffs will take place in early January 2026, following the conclusion of the U.S. holiday season.
The primary driver for the cuts is a strategic shift toward a “leaner” operational model.
Advent intends to reduce the company’s “services” activities—areas where growth has stalled or profitability is insufficient—to focus on a smaller core of highly profitable, cloud-based products.
While the impact in Israel is expected to be limited to several dozen employees due to the critical development of the Idit software platform there, the global footprint of the company will shrink significantly.
A New Leadership Era: Roni Al-Dor Steps Down
The acquisition marks the end of an era for Sapiens’ leadership.
Roni Al-Dor, who served as President and CEO for 20 years and grew the company from $45 million to over $540 million in revenue, will formally step down on December 31, 2025.
Advent has moved swiftly to install its own leadership team, effectively replacing the entire Israeli executive layer.
Mike Ettling, an Operating Partner at Advent and former CEO of Unit4, has been appointed Executive Chairman and Interim CEO.
Other key appointments include:
- Paul Wheeler as Chief Financial Officer (replacing Roni Giladi).
- Dr. Ernesto Marinelli as Chief People Success Officer.
- James Hannay as Chief Revenue Officer.
Internal reports suggest a “shock” within the company’s ranks as veteran managers have been stripped of authority or demoted.
These individuals now serve on an “Extended Management Team” and report directly to new London-based leaders.
Sapiens HQ Shift: Moving the Center of Gravity to London
In a symbolic and operational departure from its 40-year history, Sapiens is moving its global headquarters from Holon, Israel, to London.
This relocation shifts the company’s “center of gravity” away from its traditional home in the “Silicon Wadi.”
Future management meetings and key strategic decisions will now occur in the UK.
This change reflects Advent’s desire to align the company with European and American market hubs.
This move has led to concerns regarding a “brain drain” of senior engineers and managers who have been with the company for decades.
These worries are intensified by a lack of retention bonuses for mid-level staff during the transition.
SaaS and AI: The Road to 2026
The ultimate goal of this painful restructuring is to accelerate Sapiens’ transition into a pure Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider.
Advent aims to leverage AI-driven innovation to help insurers navigate complex digital landscapes more efficiently.
Advent completed the delisting of Sapiens from both the NASDAQ and Tel Aviv Stock Exchange on December 17, 2025.
By taking the company private, Advent believes Sapiens can navigate radical changes without the pressure and scrutiny of public quarterly reporting.
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