Season 3 - Ep. 12 | Transforming the Energy Sector with Baker Hughes CEO Lorenzo Simonelli

Lorenzo Simonelli knows how to lead and transform businesses in times of uncertainty and change. He did it for more than two decades at GE, leading the company’s Energy, Transportation, and Consumer & Industrial businesses. As Chairman and CEO of energy technology company Baker Hughes, he’s doing it again, helping to redefine the energy sector by accelerating sustainability to decarbonize the energy system. We talk with Lorenzo about how he’s using technology to accelerate the transition to more sustainable energy in the 120+ countries in which Baker Hughes operates. We’ll also learn the key attributes of what he thinks makes a successful CEO, especially when leading in times of crisis, and how to prepare for unexpected change. 

To hear more from leading tech officers on how they have implemented tech transformation at their organization, and the leadership lessons they have learned along the way, check out our new Tech Officer Vantage Point Video Series.

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes: 

• Feeding the World and Protecting the Planet with Yara International CEO Svein Tore Holsether

• Trust Your Gut: AXA’s Thomas Buberl Talks Transformation and Reinvention

• Doing Well by Doing Good: Feike Sijbesma, CEO Emeritus of Royal DSM, on the Power of Bold Change

Lorenzo Simonelli
Chairman and CEO of Baker Hughes (NASDAQ:BKR)

Lorenzo Simonelli is Chairman and CEO of Baker Hughes (NASDAQ:BKR). Baker Hughes is an energy technology company that combines innovation, expertise and scale to provide solutions for energy and industrial customers worldwide.

Simonelli was named Chairman of the Board in October 2017 and has been President and CEO since the Company’s creation in 2017, where he oversaw the successful merger of GE Oil & Gas with Baker Hughes Inc. Since 2013, he served as President and CEO of GE Oil & Gas.

Previously, Simonelli served as President and CEO of GE Transportation, a global transportation leader in the rail, mining, marine and energy storage industries. During his five-year tenure, he expanded and diversified GE Transportation by focusing on advanced technology manufacturing, intelligent control systems, and a diverse approach to new propulsion solutions.

He has also served as CFO Americas for GE Consumer & Industrial, as well as General Manager, Product Management for GE Appliances, Lighting, Electrical Distribution and Motors.

Simonelli joined GE’s Financial Management Program in 1994, where he worked on assignments in GE International, GE Shared Services, GE Oil & Gas, and Consolidated Financial Insurance.

He currently serves on the Board of Iveco Group N.V. He served on the Board of C3.ai, Inc. from 2020-2021 and on the Board of CNH Industrial N.V. from 2019-2021.

Originally from Tuscany, Italy, Simonelli is a Business & Economics Graduate from Cardiff University in South Wales. He is married and resides in Houston.