Tobias Thonak and Sebastian Schmickl join BearingPoint’s Data, Analytics & AI arm

04 February 2026 Consultancy.eu

BearingPoint has strengthened its Data, Analytics & AI practice with the hire Tobias Thonak and Sebastian Schmickl. Both are based in the DACH region.

The senior hires bring decades of experience in the design and implementation of data transformation programs, as well as on the activation and scaling of artificial intelligence across business functions.

Appointed a partner, Tobias Thonak has over 18 years of experience in the consulting sector. Most recently, he was responsible for Accenture’s Data & AI business in Switzerland and for building the AI Strategy capability in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland). His expertise includes AI strategy, data governance, operating model design, and the management of complex transformation programs in regulated industries.

Sebastian Schmickl meanwhile brings around a dozen years of experience in strategy consulting. At Accenture, he led the Swiss strategy team and drove the expansion of data and AI sales activities. His focus includes AI transformations, generative AI initiatives, operating model design, data management, and the implementation of AI solutions.

Both Thonak and Schmickl become senior leaders in BearingPoint’s European Data, Analytics & AI practice and will co-lead the wing in the DACH region. “Our goal is to build a strong, interdisciplinary Data, Analytics & AI unit that works closely together with clients, bringing an integrated technology and industry offering. We are very excited to embark on this journey together with our colleagues at BearingPoint,” they said in a joint statement.

Iris Grewe, a board member at BearingPoint, stated: “With Tobias and Sebastian, we are gaining two proven experts who will further scale our data, analytics, and AI offerings. Their experience in the field of technological sovereignty is particularly valuable – a topic that is currently a top priority for many of our clients.”

Data and AI ambitions

According to recent research from BearingPoint, data and analytics rank among the top strategic priorities for organisations across Europe; however, many face significant challenges in scaling data-driven ways of working and realising positive returns on investment.

AI is an even higher priority at most organisations, yet its adoption is similarly not without its challenges – particularly when it comes to scaling from isolated use cases to organisation-wide implementation. With their expertise in AI strategy and execution, Thonak and Schmickl will support clients in addressing these challenges and unlocking sustainable value.