Schneider Electric has appointed Barbara Frei as the new Executive Vice-President of its Industrial Automation global business. 

Barbara takes over from Peter Herweck, who was appointed as CEO of AVEVA, the global player in industrial software.

Having served as Schneider Electric’s Executive Vice-President for Europe Operations since 2019, Barbara retains her role as a member of the company’s Executive Committee.

Based in Zurich, she will report directly to Jean-Pascal Tricoire, Schneider Electric’s Chairman & CEO. Barbara will be charged with enabling Schneider Electric customers and partners to benefit from next-generation sustainable, resilient, and people-centric Industries of the Future solutions, and strengthening the call for universal automation.  Barbara brings business and engineering acumen to this role, as well as an understanding of the telecommunications industry.  

Barbara joined Schneider Electric in 2016 as Country President of Germany and in 2017 expanded her scope as Zone President of DACH (covering Germany, Austria, and Switzerland). She started her career as a Development Project Manager for motors and drives at ABB Switzerland, going on to hold various senior management positions in the ABB Group, including regional responsibility as Country Manager for the Czech Republic and Regional Manager for the Mediterranean area in Italy.