Energy Technology Leader Ganesh Ramaswamy Takes the Helm at Baker Hughes IET Division

Baker Hughes has appointed Ganesh Ramaswamy to lead its Industrial & Energy Technology segment, marking a pivotal moment in the company’s ongoing operational restructuring. The appointment, effective January 16, 2023, represents a strategic move to strengthen the company’s competitive positioning in energy and industrial solutions.

Who Is Ramaswamy?

With over 25 years of experience navigating complex industrial environments, Ramaswamy brings proven expertise to this high-profile role. Most recently, he served as president of Global Services at Johnson Controls, where he spearheaded the company’s digital services transformation and delivered consistent year-over-year growth in both service offerings and sustainability initiatives. His career also spans leadership positions at Danaher, a diversified industrial manufacturer, alongside product and general management responsibilities across multiple international organizations.

Strategic Significance of the Move

This appointment by CEO Lorenzo Simonelli is far more than a routine executive shuffle. Baker Hughes has been executing a comprehensive business restructuring since September 2022, aimed at streamlining operations and improving profitability while positioning itself for growth in rapidly shifting energy and industrial markets. Ramaswamy’s global perspective and track record in digital transformation align precisely with these goals.

Simonelli emphasized the significance, noting that Ramaswamy’s diverse industrial background will be essential as Baker Hughes works to deliver differentiated solutions addressing what the industry calls the “energy trilemma”—simultaneously balancing energy security, sustainability, and affordability. The company sees this as a critical competitive advantage as global markets navigate the energy transition.

What This Means for IET

The Industrial & Energy Technology segment, which encompasses critical areas like LNG and natural gas technologies, will benefit from Ramaswamy’s experience building scalable service businesses. Under his leadership, the division is expected to accelerate development of energy transition technologies and advance integrated digital offerings—areas where Baker Hughes sees significant growth potential.

Rod Christie, the outgoing EVP of IET, will transition to a strategic advisory role before departing in Q2 2023. Simonelli credited Christie’s contributions in establishing the IET division and developing its portfolio of energy transition solutions.

The Bigger Picture

This leadership transition signals Baker Hughes’ commitment to competing aggressively in an era where energy companies must simultaneously modernize infrastructure and meet sustainability demands. With Ramaswamy at the helm, the company is betting that proven expertise in digital transformation and global operations will unlock new growth opportunities across its energy and industrial customer base.