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Olivier Blum, the dynamic CEO of Schneider Electric, is transforming the future of energy management and digital automation. With over three decades of experience working with the company, including leadership in sustainability and strategy, Olivier's journey is a path of innovation and global outreach. As he assumed the position of CEO in November 2024, he remains responsible for Schneider Electric's sustainability and AI-based innovation. In addition to his Schneider Electric experience, Olivier helped to mould AVEVA Group and Keppel Corporation.
Born in October 1970 in France, Olivier developed an international perspective that would define his career. When he joined Schneider Electric in 1993, he began a long and influential journey. Much of his academic past being private, his early positions highlighted his down-to-earth background in business and engineering. Olivier's professional career introduced him to the world's markets, including China, India, and Hong Kong, broadening his knowledge. The exposure honed his strategic mind, which accounted for Schneider Electric's global expansion, turning the company into the world's favorite energy management and digital automation brand.
Olivier’s professional career began in 1993 at Schneider Electric, where he quickly ascended to high-level global positions. He was the India Regional Managing Director, led strategy in China, and was the global head of Home & Distribution from Hong Kong. Olivier served as the Chief Human Resources Officer from 2014 to 2020, known for his assertive leadership style in shaping the company's human capital mix. He then led corporate strategy and sustainability initiatives between 2020 and 2022. All his global marketplace and functional knowledge came together when he became the CEO in November 2024, steering Schneider Electric into a future filled with innovation and growth.
Schneider Electric integrates AI across platforms, optimizing energy management, sustainability, and operational efficiency. From smart home apps to industrial solutions, AI drives digital transformation and innovation.
AI in Energy Management Schneider Electric’s Wiser Home app now features AI-driven energy management for EV chargers and water heaters, using predictive algorithms to optimize consumption based on user behavior, weather, and tariffs, empowering homeowners to reduce costs and enhance sustainability with smart automation.
AI at Scale: Schneider Electric Launches the "AI at Scale" Podcast to Explore Real-World AI Applications. Featuring experts, it addresses challenges like energy demand, diversity, and preparing for an AI-driven future, offering valuable insights for businesses and society.
Predictive AI in Energy: Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Industrial Advisor Predictive Energy uses AI and machine learning to optimize energy use in industrial utility systems. This predictive solution enhances efficiency, reduces emissions, and enables rapid ROI driving sustainable transformation across energy-intensive industries.
AI Partnership : Schneider Electric partners with Nvidia to launch an advanced AI data center reference design featuring liquid cooling and high-density support. This collaboration enhances energy efficiency, scalability, and sustainability, empowering next-gen AI infrastructure optimized for Nvidia’s cutting-edge processors and accelerated computing needs.
AI Ecosystem: Schneider Electric has launched a global AI ecosystem organization to empower partners with scalable AI solutions. This initiative strengthens its commitment to channel collaboration, enabling enterprises to modernize data centers and accelerate AI adoption through expert consulting, innovation, and infrastructure support.
AI Hub: Schneider Electric’s AI Hub drives innovation with global teams across India, France, and the US. Through rapid AI team growth and partnerships with tech leaders such as Microsoft and AVEVA, the company empowers smart, data-driven, and sustainable decisions at an enterprise scale.
Integrating GenAI: Schneider Electric harnesses Microsoft Azure OpenAI to drive productivity and sustainability through Generative AI. From internal assistants to customer-facing copilots, these innovations optimize operations, accelerate decision-making, and reinforce the company’s commitment to digital transformation and sustainable energy management.
AI Empowerment: Schneider Electric utilises AI through its Open Talent Market (OTM) platform to empower employees with internal mobility, mentorship, and upskilling opportunities. The AI matches skills with opportunities, helping staff connect, grow, and advance their careers across the global organization.
Sustainable Intelligence: Schneider Electric explores the dual role of AI in advancing and potentially challenging sustainability goals. Through research, it emphasizes balancing AI innovation with energy efficiency, urging proactive strategies to manage future energy demands and ensure AI aligns with decarbonization efforts.
AI Investment: Schneider Electric is investing over $700 million in its U.S. operations to meet the demands for AI-driven energy solutions. Through facility upgrades, AI-powered grid innovations, and partnerships such as Nvidia’s digital twins, the company is enhancing its energy infrastructure and accelerating sustainable growth in the AI era.
Olivier has achieved massive economic success, and his net worth is estimated to be approximately $15 million. His wealth is primarily attributed to holding 65,443 shares in Schneider Electric SE and 9,000 shares in Keppel Ltd. Schneider Electric, as an entity, has also expanded tremendously under his leadership. Olivier is also a director in firms such as Keppel Ltd., Aveva Group, and Delta Dore SA, thereby diversifying his financial portfolio and sectoral exposure.
The appointment of Olivier as the CEO of Schneider Electric is a historical milestone. For over three decades, he has led strategic turnarounds worldwide, including those of Indian and Chinese businesses. As Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer and Chief HR Officer, Olivier was instrumental in Schneider's transformation into a software company, spearheaded by his membership on the board of AVEVA. Olivier's deep understanding of Schneider's culture and future vision, combined with the board's resounding vote of support, qualifies him to lead the company to the next level.
Schneider Electric faces controversies, including CEO dismissal, greenwashing claims, corruption trials, price collusion, cyberattacks, fraud investigations, and tax disputes, raising concerns about leadership, ethics, and security.
Leadership Rift: Schneider Electric's sudden dismissal of CEO Peter Herweck sparked controversy due to undisclosed strategic disagreements. His stance on acquisitions, including a halt following the Motivair deal and a failed attempt with Bentley Systems, may have triggered friction with the board and shareholders.
Greenwashing Claims: Schneider Electric faces backlash for its involvement in the Eacop/Tilenga oil project, despite its reputation for sustainability. Providing safety and infrastructure equipment, the company’s participation in this controversial project raises concerns among employees, activists, and investors about its commitment to sustainability.
Corruption Trial: Schneider Electric, along with 13 other French companies, faces renewed scrutiny in the UN Oil-for-Food scandal for allegedly making corrupt payments to Saddam Hussein’s regime. Though previously acquitted, the reopened trial revives ethical and legal questions about corporate complicity in international corruption schemes.
Price Collusion: Schneider Electric and three peers were fined €470 million for collusion in France’s low-voltage equipment market. Accused of artificially inflating prices through vertical agreements, Schneider received the most significant penalty and now faces legal and reputational fallout from this antitrust breach.
Ransomware Attack: Schneider Electric faced a ransomware attack on its Sustainability Business division, with data from its Resource Advisor software accessed by the Cactus group. The breach compromised energy consumption and emissions data, raising concerns over cybersecurity and client data security.
Fraudulent Schemes: Schneider Electric agreed to pay $11 million to resolve criminal and civil probes over fraudulent overcharges and kickbacks on federal projects. The company inflated its costs and received kickbacks, resulting in charges under the Anti-Kickback Act and the False Claims Act.
Tax Dispute: Schneider Electric's appeal against a ₹2.2 crore tax demand for the financial year 2018 was rejected by the Joint Commissioner of Commercial Taxes in Bengaluru. The company faces a penalty due to discrepancies in its tax filings, but assures that the impact on operations will be minimal.
