On alignment. On discipline. On responsibility.
Regional leadership is choosing what matters
As CEO of Xerox Czechia, Slovakia and Hungary, Peter Halmo leads markets that do not move at the same speed — or under the same conditions.
In CEE, regional leadership is not about scale alone. It is about deciding when a strong local result serves the region — and when it needs to give way to regional priorities.
The role demands discipline and clarity.
Not every decision brings immediate results — some are made with the longer term in mind.
For Peter, regional leadership is measured in the work behind the result.
On regional alignment. On discipline. On trade-offs.
Where regional strategy meets local reality
Leadership across markets is tested in everyday decisions. Usually when local wins and regional priorities pull in different directions.
Q1: What is the toughest call when leading across CZ/SK/HU?
The most difficult decision isn't just about saying “No”. It’s about managing the tension between local agility and regional scalability.
In CEE, Hungary has unique fiscal complexities, Czechia is a highly competitive tech hub, and Slovakia requires a balance of both. The real challenge is asking a high-performing local team to trade a short-term win for what strengthens the region. It’s not about forcing markets to be the same. It’s about keeping local excellence — but making it work for the region.
Q2: During the Lexmark integration, what ultimately determined whether the integration would succeed?
Success wasn’t determined only by financial models. What mattered was cultural alignment and channel trust.
While the math showed we were becoming a larger entity, the real engine of our success was that our cultures and partner approaches were already speaking the same language. This reduced friction and allowed collaboration to start quickly. Integration success was defined by how fast we built trust and continuity for our partners.
Peter Halmo on execution, alignment, and trade-offs — in conversation with Peter Nemčok, Leaders Talk 2026.
On discipline. On focus. On responsibility.
Discipline is where regional leadership holds
Across multiple markets, leadership shows in execution. Consistency beats big statements.
Q3: Where must you be most disciplined as a regional CEO?
As a regional CEO, discipline is most critical in balancing local agility with global alignment. It’s not about rules — it’s about consistency. My role is to ensure that while we move with the speed of a local partner, we maintain the global standards.
In a region like CEE, there are many good opportunities. Discipline means saying “No” to distractions so teams can say “Yes” to what truly scales. Discipline creates the trust and stability that allows our talent to innovate and lead.
Q4: What separates effective regional leadership from strong local management?
The difference lies in the scope of the responsibility. A local manager is focused on winning the game today. A regional leader is focused on winning the entire season and building a franchise. While local management is about execution, regional leadership is about alignment.
My role is not to make Czechia, Slovakia, and Hungary identical. That would be a mistake. It is to ensure their unique strengths are coordinated. Effective regional leadership is the art of turning individual market advantages into a collective competitive edge, making the whole region far more than just the sum of its parts.
Peter Halmo discussing regional discipline and market alignment with Peter Nemčok during Leaders Talk 2026.
On continuity. On structure. On leadership succession.
Leadership shows in what works without you
Q5: What should remain after a CEO moves on?
In our industry, we often measure output in numbers and quarterly targets. But if performance depends on my presence, I haven’t been a leader — I’ve been a bottleneck. I believe my most important output isn't a number on a spreadsheet. It’s the integrity and autonomy of the organisation I leave behind.
What should remain is autonomy - leaders who are more capable than me, and processes disciplined enough to create freedom, not friction. A leader shouldn't just write a great chapter. They should build the “template” others can use long after you leave.
In our work with CEOs and boards, one pattern repeats: regional strength comes when local performance supports a shared strategy.
Peter Halmo
CEO, CZ / SK / HU
Xerox
Peter brings nearly two decades of commercial leadership experience across CZ/SK/HU, with P&L ownership and regional execution across three CEE markets. His work focuses on aligning local performance with shared regional priorities.
Menity Leaders Talk — March 2026
Interview by Peter Nemčok · Photography © Menity