In November of 2024, Olivier Blum became CEO of Schneider Electric (No. 378 on the Global 500). Founded in 1836, the company is now considered of the most innovative, sustainable and best places to work. But it’s also under pressure to stay ahead of the curve in a fast-changing energy environment where tariffs, AI, growing power needs and shifting policies around sustainability have created new challenges. Ahead of announcing a new vision for Schneider Electric at its Copenhagen innovation summit, the Dubai-based Blum talked to Fortune about his big plans for the French energy tech giant. The following has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
You’re coming up on your first anniversary as CEO. How has it been?
