ABB appoints Giampiero Frisio as President of Electrification, Brandon Spencer to lead Motion Business

On May 23, 2024, the technology leader in electrification and automation, ABB, announced key leadership changes effective August 1, 2024. Giampiero Frisio has been appointed the new President of the Electrification Business Area, while Brandon Spencer will assume the President of the Motion Business Area. Both Frisio and Spencer will join ABB’s Executive Committee, bringing their extensive experience and fresh perspectives to the global technology leader’s top management team.

Björn Rosengren, the CEO of ABB, said, “Both Giampiero and Brandon are proven leaders with strong track records in their current roles, driving profitable growth in two of our largest Divisions. I am particularly happy that we are appointing internal candidates – this shows the strength of ABB’s pool of senior leaders. I am confident that they will build on the strong performance achieved in Electrification and Motion over the past years.”

Morten Wierod, the CEO designate, added, “I am excited to work with Giampiero and Brandon also in their new roles when I take over as ABB CEO later this year. With them, we will continue to have a strong Executive Committee that will drive ABB’s financial and sustainability performance.”

Giampiero Frisio, the Division President of Smart Power in the Electrification Business Area since 2018, will succeed Morten Wierod as ABB’s new CEO starting August 1, 2024. Giampiero joined ABB in 1995 and has held various managerial positions covering operations, marketing, and sales. From January 2011 to November 2018, he served as the Managing Director for the Protection and Connection Business Unit within Electrification Products. He holds a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Pavia University in Italy and is an Italian citizen.

Brandon Spencer, who has served as Division President of Energy Industries within the Process Automation Business Area since 2020, is set to succeed Tarak Mehta. Mehta, who previously announced his departure, will be leaving ABB to take on the CEO role at Timken Group after over 25 years at ABB. Spencer has been with ABB since 2006, occupying various leadership positions, primarily in the energy sector. From 2018 to 2020, he served as the Global Managing Director for ABB Process Industries. Before joining ABB, Spencer held several positions at Siemens Power Generation. He obtained his bachelor's degree in Economics and a Master's in Business Administration from the Crummer School of Business at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. Spencer is a US citizen.

As of August 1, 2024, ABB’s Executive Committee will consist of Morten Wierod (Chief Executive Officer), Timo Ihamuotila (Chief Financial Officer), Carolina Granat (Chief Human Resources Officer), Karin Lepasoon (Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer), Giampiero Frisio (President, Electrification), Peter Terwiesch (President, Process Automation), Brandon Spencer (President, Motion) and Sami Atiya (President, Robotics & Discrete Automation). In addition, Mathias Gaertner will join the Executive Committee on October 1, 2024, as General Counsel and Company Secretary.