By Fiona Wexler, Senior Correspondent
Eaton Corporation has officially appointed Paulo Ruiz as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective June 1, 2025. This transition follows the retirement of Craig Arnold, who concluded his tenure after reaching the company’s mandatory retirement age of 65. Ruiz’s elevation marks a significant leadership change for the global power management company.
A Strategic Leadership Transition
The announcement of Ruiz’s promotion was made in August 2024, when Eaton’s Board of Directors named him President and Chief Operating Officer, effective September 2, 2024. This move was part of a planned succession strategy, ensuring a smooth transition in the company’s top leadership. Ruiz, who joined Eaton in 2019, has been instrumental in driving growth and operational excellence within the company.
“Paulo’s deep operations expertise and strong global manufacturing background make him uniquely qualified to lead Eaton through the next phase of the company’s growth,” said Gregory R. Page, who has been a board member since 2003 and will assume the role of non-executive chairman concurrently with Ruiz’s CEO appointment.
With Ruiz at the helm, Eaton expects a continuation of its strategy focused on innovation, digital transformation, and global expansion. The transition has been designed to maintain continuity in leadership while also infusing new energy into the organization.
Ruiz’s Professional Journey
At 49, Paulo Ruiz brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Since July 2022, he has served as President and COO of Eaton’s Industrial Sector, overseeing key divisions such as Aerospace, Vehicle, eMobility, Filtration, and Golf Pride, along with operations in the Asia-Pacific, Central, and South American regions.
Before his tenure at Eaton, Ruiz spent over 18 years at Siemens, holding various strategic positions worldwide, including CEO of Dresser-Rand, a Siemens business. His leadership roles at Siemens gave him broad exposure to global markets and the intricacies of managing diverse business portfolios.
Ruiz began his career at Fiat, where he held roles in operations, commercial, and engineering departments. These early roles laid the foundation for his operational acumen and his ability to navigate complex industrial environments. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from FEI in São Paulo, Brazil, and a master’s degree in business management from Fundação Dom Cabral. He also completed a post-MBA program at the Kellogg School of Management, further enhancing his leadership capabilities.
A Vision for the Future
As CEO, Ruiz is expected to continue Eaton’s emphasis on sustainable innovation and customer-focused solutions. The company, founded in 1911 and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, has grown to become a leader in power management solutions. In 2023, Eaton reported revenues of $23.2 billion and operates in more than 160 countries.
Ruiz’s appointment also underscores Eaton’s commitment to diversity and global representation in its leadership. His Brazilian heritage and international career journey resonate with Eaton’s values of inclusivity and global awareness.
“I’m proud to work with Paulo and our team of passionate leaders to guide Eaton through this inflection point in our company’s long history,” said outgoing CEO Craig Arnold. “His deep understanding of our operations and unwavering commitment to excellence make him the ideal choice to lead Eaton into the future.”
Leadership Continuity with Gregory Page
In addition to Ruiz’s appointment, Eaton announced that Gregory Page, a veteran board member, will serve as non-executive chairman. Page’s long tenure with Eaton and previous experience as CEO and chairman of Cargill bring invaluable insight and stability during this transition. His collaboration with Ruiz is expected to reinforce Eaton’s strategic direction and operational effectiveness.
As the company moves forward, stakeholders are optimistic that the new leadership will uphold Eaton’s legacy of performance and innovation while exploring new frontiers in digital and sustainable technologies.
