To mark the official opening of the Sanofi Budapest Hub expansion on Oct. 9 (2025), Madeleine Roach, executive vice president and head of business operations at Sanofi, spoke to the Budapest Business Journal about the role the center plays in global operations, the ongoing transformation at the pharma firm, and what lies ahead.
BBJ: As executive vice president and head of business operations, you have a company-wide role. How often are you in Budapest?
Madeleine Roach: Budapest is very close to my heart. It was our first European hub and a visible proof-point of a much bigger transformation we began two years ago. In 2023, we doubled down on science and set an ambitious goal: to become the first AI-powered, R&D-driven biopharma. To deliver on that, we needed to reset how we work, end-to-end, across the enterprise, not just in classic corporate functions.
That is why we created Business Operations: the catalyst for modernization at Sanofi. From day one, the scope went well beyond a traditional GBS. We brought together multidisciplinary capabilities (go-to-market and commercial excellence, medical, manufacturing & supply support, as well as the full suite of corporate services) and we designed them around standards, data, and outcomes, not organizational charts. Our CEO and executive committee gave us a clear mandate and pace: a two-year transition that many companies would plan over four or five. We built a common transition methodology, clear tollgates, and a metrics-driven way of working so “what good looks like” is transparent to everyone.
Culture mattered as much as design. We adopted a “seeing is believing” approach, bringing leaders into our hubs to experience the talent, tooling, and impact firsthand. We kept the conversation anchored in value creation, focusing on faster cycle times, a better user experience, and tangible profit and loss, as well as working capital benefits.
Budapest was the European pioneer in this journey (we have since added Barcelona alongside Hyderabad, Bogota, and Kuala Lumpur), so I visit frequently with my leadership team. Transformation isn’t done from a distance; you have to be with the teams, listen, and help remove obstacles. When I was last here in April, we reaffirmed our ambition: deliver value and excellence at scale so Sanofi can chase the “miracles of science” for patients.
BBJ: You are here for. In terms of staff numbers, square meters and roles performed, how has the BSC grown?
MR: When we established the Budapest hub in 2019, we started with only a handful of talents. Today, we are around 1,700 professionals, and expect to continue growing. Our ambition is to increase the Budapest hub to 2,200 colleagues by 2026. This is not only an investment in Sanofi, but also in Hungary’s economic growth.
What makes this hub unique is its multidisciplinary nature. We are not only home to finance or HR; we cover a broad range of functions: Finance and accounting, people services, procurement, digital, R&D support, medical services, and manufacturing and supply. That gives our teams a much broader perspective on the value chain of a global biopharma company.
The Budapest hub is also a community. In our 15,000 sqm at Váci Greens, we’ve created a modern workplace with state-of-the-art facilities, cultural and sports programs, and spaces that encourage collaboration. This month, we are opening four additional office floors and a multifunctional community space. It’s all designed to inspire bold thinking and unite us behind our mission.
BBJ: The motto of the unit you head is “Business Operations delivers value and excellence at scale so Sanofi can chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives.” How does the Budapest hub contribute to this?
MR: It plays a pivotal role in Sanofi’s transformation. By centralizing and reimagining operational work, we enable our R&D teams to focus on groundbreaking scientific innovation. For example, by streamlining processes, we shorten cycle times and simplify complexity, enabling R&D to bring new medicines to patients faster. By embedding digital tools, analytics, and increasingly AI into everyday operations, we create not only efficiencies but also new insights that help us work smarter. Ultimately, this hub shows how business operations create direct value for patients. It’s not back-office work; it’s a catalyst for how Sanofi delivers innovation to the world.
BBJ: Through Chinoin, founded in Hungary in 1910, Sanofi has a significant interest in the country. What is the size of your footprint here, and how does that compare to other international subsidiaries?
MR: Hungary is not only home to the Budapest Hub, but also to commercial operations and one manufacturing site, with the sixth-largest footprint in Sanofi globally. In terms of size, it’s the biggest in Europe, and the second-largest in Sanofi’s global hub network.
BBJ: Sanofi describes itself as an “R&D driven, AI-powered” biopharma company, committed to improving people’s lives and delivering compelling growth. It is interesting to see AI given such prominence. How does it, and the mission, manifest itself?
MR: We are reshaping how we discover, develop, and deliver medicines. On the R&D side, we are leveraging decades of scientific expertise, especially in immunology, and focusing our pipeline with precision medicine approaches. On the AI side, we aim to be the first biopharma company to be empowered by artificial intelligence at scale. Our AI strategy is based on the three pillars: Expert AI to accelerate discovery and development; Generative AI to streamline content and processes; and “Snackable AI,” simple tools in the hands of every employee, enabling better decisions every day.
This integration is already reducing time from discovery to commercialization. Combined with our world-class manufacturing, AI is helping us reimagine how fast and effectively we can bring innovation to patients. And we never forget our purpose: we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives. That means increasing healthcare access, reducing our environmental impact, and ensuring our growth benefits both patients and communities.
BBJ: What is next for the Budapest hub?
MR: We want to remain a trusted partner for Hungary, for our employees, patients, and communities. We believe that scientific breakthroughs alone cannot transform healthcare. It requires ecosystems: talent, partnerships, and trust. Hungary provides exactly that, and we are committed to building on it.
BBJ: You are a German citizen, you studied in London, you are based in Paris, and here you are today in Budapest. You are a prime example of a multinational employee wrapped up in one package. What are the advantages of being able to draw on all these strings?
MR: It’s true; I’ve been fortunate to live and work in many places and cultures, from London to Kuala Lumpur. Each experience shaped how I lead today. It taught me that diversity of background, culture, and perspective is a fundamental driver of innovation. That is why I feel at home in Budapest. Our hub here is a microcosm of global Sanofi: 65 nationalities working side by side. You can walk through the office and hear conversations in multiple languages, but all united around a common mission. That inspires me every time I visit. Ultimately, what I value most is not just being multinational; it’s being connected: to people, their ideas, and the purpose that unites us across borders.
This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of October 17, 2025.

Officially announced in late summer, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), part of India’s Tata Group, has opened a new engineering center in Romania as part of its strategic expansion across Europe, the company announced. The facility will focus on software-defined vehicle (SDV) technologies, positioning Romania as a key location in the firm’s efforts to develop next-generation mobility solutions.

The Romanian center is part of a broader European initiative that includes the opening of two additional automotive delivery hubs in Germany, located in Munich and Villingen-Schwenningen. These investments are aimed at supporting TCS’s global automotive clients as the industry transitions to advanced digital and software-driven platforms.

TCS, founded in 1968, is one of the world’s largest IT services firms and a core entity within the Tata Group, a conglomerate with nearly 100 companies spanning industries including automobiles, energy, retail, steel, telecommunications, and media. The Tata Group owns global automotive brands such as Jaguar Land Rover and Tata Motors.

TCS reported consolidated revenues of USD 30 billion for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, and employs more than 600,000 people worldwide.

“These new engineering and delivery centers reaffirm our commitment to the European market and will play a vital role in our ability to co-innovate with clients across the automotive sector,” the company stated.

At the annual HIPA (Hungary) event held in Budapest (13 November 2025), the following companies were finalists and Winners.  The event is co-organized by ABSL Hungary and AmCham Hungary.

BSC Investor of the Year:

• EPTA
  
• P3=Nomea
• Sanofi – WINNER

Business Excellence & Innovation:

• Lexmark – WINNER 
• Process Solutions
• Unisys

Best in Education and Talent Development:

• Kyndryl 
• Korber (Pecs)
• TCS - WINNER

TCS

PwC CEE announced (10 November) the launch of Assurance for AI. This is a first-to-market suite of services and solutions designed to provide independent assurance and other related AI Trust services.

This innovation addresses growing demand among businesses for greater control over AI technologies. Assurance for AI brings confidence that AI systems are being designed, deployed, and operated responsibly and transparently—and meet evolving regulatory expectations. 

Our Assurance for AI and AI Trust Services help our clients build trust in their AI systems. They focus on key pillars such as data trust, security posture and broader risk management. 
Our multidisciplinary teams work together with clients to meet evolving risk, regulatory, and business challenges. These teams combine deep technical AI expertise with proven capabilities in risk management, digital trust, internal controls, and audit.
How PwC CEE’s Assurance for AI services can help organisations Our services can help clients: 

• Gain an independent perspective on the integrity, robustness, and fairness of their AI systems. 
  

• Assess governance frameworks and control environments for AI oversight.  
  

• Evaluate data sourcing and management practices to address risks such as bias, drift, and other common vulnerabilities. 
  

• Assess the design and effectiveness of monitoring and testing procedures. 
  

• Support outcome explainability and interpretability through tested insights into AI outcomes. 
  

• Receive guidance into how company procedures compare to leading practices and emerging standards and regulations.  
  
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Mastercard has announced the expansion of its operations in Poland with the launch of new professional services centers in Warsaw and Gdańsk. The newly hired, highly skilled experts will support the development of advanced technological and advisory solutions for Mastercard’s clients across Europe and globally. These hubs will further strengthen Poland’s position as a key center of innovation and digital transformation in the region.
Growth of Mastercard’s Professional Services CentersThe expansion of Mastercard’s activities in Warsaw and Gdańsk is part of the company’s global strategy to establish centers of excellence that support the digital transformation of the financial sector. Poland was selected due to its pool of highly qualified professionals, central location in Europe, and stable regulatory environment.
The new professional services center in Warsaw will employ experienced specialists in strategic consulting and advisory services. These teams will support clients across Europe in areas such as data analysis, digital product development, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and business strategy. By 2028, the number of qualified staff in this hub is expected to double, reaching over 300 employees.
In Gdańsk, Mastercard’s technology center focuses on open banking and data-driven innovation, providing services to clients around the world. The company plans to employ around 100 highly skilled experts at this location by 2028. Leveraging experience from its 2021 acquisition of Danish open-banking firm Aiia, the Gdańsk-based team is developing open finance solutions. Their work in data and product management will further drive the digital transformation of the financial sector.
“Poland has long been one of Mastercard’s key markets in Europe. I am proud that our professional services centers, staffed with highly specialized experts, are being built right here. Poland needs places that play a leading role in direct client engagement and support the development of innovative solutions in the financial ecosystem. These centers strengthen our position as a significant financial hub on the global map. The decision to scale up in Warsaw and Gdańsk confirms Mastercard’s confidence in the potential of Polish talent, the stability of the country, and its strategic role in Europe,” said Marta Życińska, General Manager of Mastercard Europe in Poland.
Together, the Mastercard centers in Warsaw and Gdańsk form a powerful engine of innovation, integrating consulting, data analysis, and advanced technologies to support the growth of digital payments. As Mastercard expands beyond traditional payment services, areas such as data analytics, cybersecurity, and advisory services are becoming increasingly important sources of value and innovation.

Siemens Financial Services GmbH will establish a Shared Service Center (SSC) in Warsaw.

They are recruiting, for example, for positions like this:

"The Customer Account Manager (f/m/d)  oversees a team of junior and senior associates within the SSC, ensuring efficient and accurate processing of customer payments across European markets. This leadership role involves process optimization, team development, and cross-functional collaboration with internal departments and external banking partners."

Responsibilities:

• Supporting the head of SCC in setting up a team culture for a new established Shared Service Center, including sense of belonging, common targets.
• Acting as local SSC deputy, helping to execute the SSC strategy for SFS COF.

In an interview in SEEnews, Yordan Ginev, Chairman of AIBEST and Managing Director of DIGITALL Bulgaria, tells us about Bulgaria's continued transformation from digital "after-thought" to global tech-solutions hub.

Оver the past fifteen years, Bulgaria has transformed into a hub for high-tech solutions with global reach. In 2023, 817 companies in the BPO, ITO, and R&D sectors operated in Bulgaria, employing more than 104,000 people. This makes the industry one of the strategic drivers of the national economy. AIBEST’s mission is to ensure the sector continues to grow sustainably —with higher added value, more innovation, and a stable contribution to GDP.

“We are building the best bank in Europe, and hubs are playing a key role in our strategy.”

The network is diversified, with each hub having clear specializations: the largest, in the Philippines (over 6,000 employees), covers a wide range of services - from software development to financial crime prevention, finance and retail & wholesale operations, while the hub in Poland (with over 3,000 employees) focuses on software development, infrastructure, automation and fraud prevention and financial crime. In the hub in Slovakia (over 1,500 employees) wholesale operations are managed, and the Turkish hub (200 employees) set up last year specializes in software development and data analysis. And the newest centre, recently opened in Spain, is focused on infrastructure and application development, being the only one in the network of tech hubs ING that is in the eurozone.

In this complex ecosystem, the hub in Bucharest has formed an essential role in technology, focusing mainly on software development, data management and analysis, as well as risk management.
The Romanian Hub, a strategic center with over 2,300 experts constantly growing
In its ten years of existence, ING Hubs Romania has evolved from a “small software development center” to a strategic hub and a key element of the global network.

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