cplace Appoints Doug Surrett as CEO

Munich, 4 May 2026—cplace, a leading provider of Next-Generation Project and Portfolio Management (PPM) software, today announced the appointment of Doug Surrett as Chief Executive Officer, marking the next phase of the company’s long-planned leadership succession and global growth strategy.

Dr. Rupert Stuffer, who founded cplace in 2014 and has led the company since its inception, will transition to the role of board member and Customer Advisory Board Chairman, where he will continue to shape the company’s product vision and long-term innovation roadmap. 

Under Stuffer’s leadership, cplace has evolved from an ambitious startup into a recognized leader in modern PPM, trusted by global enterprises across industries including pharmaceuticals, automotive, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing. The platform enables organizations to manage increasingly complex project landscapes with greater transparency, flexibility, and speed. 

With a strong foundation in place, cplace is now entering its next chapter, focused on scaling internationally and deepening its leadership in AI-powered PPM. The company strengthened this trajectory in early 2025 with the addition of Level Equity, a leading global technology investor. 

Surrett brings more than 35 years of leadership experience across the technology and software sectors. Most recently, he served as General Manager and Chief Commercial Officer of the Graphic Communications division at CAI Software. Over his career, he has led global organizations spanning product management, R&D, professional services, sales, and M&A. 

“When I founded cplace, my vision was to build a platform that gives organizations the flexibility and transparency to manage complex project environments,” said Dr. Rupert Stuffer, Founder of cplace. “Today, cplace is a proven market leader. With Doug’s experience and leadership, and Level Equity’s partnership, I am confident the company is exceptionally well positioned to scale globally and continue redefining the PPM category.” 

“cplace is uniquely positioned at the intersection of complexity, data, and AI,” said Doug Surrett, CEO of cplace. “With a powerful product, an outstanding team, and a world-class customer base, we have a significant opportunity to reshape how organizations manage their most critical initiatives. I’m excited to lead the company into this next phase of growth.” 

“We are thrilled to partner with Doug as cplace enters its next stage of expansion,” said Gautam Gupta, Partner at Level Equity. “Rupert has built an exceptional company with a strong product foundation and differentiated market position. We look forward to continuing to support cplace as it scales its global footprint and extends its leadership in AI-driven PPM.”