MIT Sloan CIO Symposium Names Hervé Coureil, CIO of Schneider Electric, as a Finalist for the 2015 CIO Leadership Award

The 12th Annual MIT Sloan CIO Symposium has announced Hervé Coureil, CIO of Schneider Electric as a finalist for the 2015 MIT Sloan CIO Leadership Award. The winner will be announced on the eve of the Symposium, which takes place at MIT on May 20, 2015.

The MIT Sloan CIO Leadership Award honors Chief Information Officers (CIOs) who lead their organizations to deliver business value and innovative use of IT in exceptional ways.

“As every business becomes a technology business, the amount of transformation to be driven throughout the organization is unprecedented” said Herve Coureil, CIO of Schneider Electric. “This recognition – shared with an amazing set of finalists – is a tribute to Schneider Electric’s teams across the globe who collaborate relentlessly to make Information Technology a distinct advantage for our customers“

Mr. Coureil is responsible for Information Technology, Processes and Organization for Schneider Electric globally. He also oversees the company’s program “Schneider is On“. His organization – whose mission is underlined by the “Digitize to Empower” motto – focuses on enabling distinctive digital customer, partner and employee experiences as well as supporting the implementation of new digital models and offers. Mr. Coureil joined Schneider Electric in 1993 and has held several senior management positions, including roles in finance, business development and mergers & acquisitions for the Group. He became Chief Information Officer in 2009.

“These finalists are truly amazing leaders, and the award committee is proud to name them as finalists,” said Dr. George Westerman, Research Scientist of the MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy and Co-Chair of the Award Program. “These leaders, along with their business colleagues, have used technology to truly transform their businesses. They have set the course for a successful digital future.”

After two rounds of intense review, a panel of judges that includes CIOs, academic researchers and IT professionals, selected the finalists who exhibit the key traits of a CIO leader:

Articulates a vision for strategic business value from IT and works across the organization to build partnership around this vision. Focuses communications on value and innovation, not technology. Helps all IT staff to understand the business and speak the language of business leaders.

Clearly demonstrates value-for-money in the management of core IT services – providing the right services at the right price and the right level of quality. Recognized among peers as an effective leader of the IT unit.

Understands the business and needs of the CEO, CFO, Line-of-Business heads and other senior executives. Ensures clear focus on potential and realized value in all IT initiatives. Incorporates IT into business decision-making by participating in key strategic conversations, suggesting innovative uses of IT, and managing risk.

Exercises authority beyond IT itself. Considered a trusted member of the senior executive team, not just a technology leader. Suggests innovative uses of IT to transform the business – and successfully executes the changes. May receive additional non-IT responsibilities such as Chief Operating Officer or VP of Strategy, or strategic temporary roles such as Head of M&A integration.

These criteria are adapted from the award-winning book The Real Business of IT: How CIOs Create and Communicate Value, which draws extensively upon research conducted at MIT Sloan. 

For more details and to view the full agenda, visit www.mitcio.com.