An interview with Rhonda Doyle, New Country President of Schneider Electric Ireland.
In a fast-evolving energy landscape marked by geopolitical pressures, workforce transformation, and the urgent push for decarbonisation, leadership at the helm of major players in the sector has never been more vital. Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy management and automation, has named a new Country President for its Irish operations. In an interview with Rhonda Doyle, who officially stepped into the role on June 1st, laid out a compelling roadmap.
Q: You’re stepping into this role at a time of great change in the energy sector. What’s your overall vision for Schneider Electric Ireland over the next 12 months?
A: It’s very much about building on the strong foundation already in place. Chris Collins has done an incredible job positioning Schneider Electric as a thought leader in Ireland’s energy transition. My goal is to maintain that momentum — and accelerate it. My roadmap for the next year focuses on continuity, commercial growth, talent development, and tighter market integration — all underpinned by a deep commitment to customer-centricity.
Q: Your background is in global e-commerce with eBay — quite different from energy and automation. How has that shaped your leadership approach?
A: It’s definitely an atypical route, but a valuable one. What eBay taught me was how to scale — how to move beyond having knowledge stuck in one person’s head. That’s something I brought into Schneider Electric from day one, especially around knowledge-sharing, building scalable systems, and centralising back-office support. And regardless of the industry, the fundamentals remain: be close to your customers, stay responsive to change, and have a strong pulse on the market.
Q: As you return to lead the Irish team, what are your commercial priorities?
A: It’s about realigning the team with a refreshed commercial vision. After working in various operational and services roles across Ireland and the UK, I’m in a strong position to re-engage internally while also helping the team better articulate the value we bring. Speaking with consultants and end users, it’s clear many are surprised at the depth of our engineering expertise here in Ireland. We need to simplify that message and communicate it more clearly.
Q: How do you plan to increase Schneider Electric’s visibility in the Irish market?
A: Strengthening the Schneider Electric brand in the Irish market is absolutely a top priority, and we’re approaching it with a multi-faceted strategy.
Beyond our continued valuable collaboration with key organisations like Dublin Chamber of Commerce, American Chamber Ireland and IBEC, etc., we also plan to significantly increase our visibility by consistently showcasing Schneider Electric’s unparalleled global expertise – bringing world-class insights, proven technologies, and successful case studies from our international operations directly to the Irish market. This means actively participating in and leading discussions at key industry events and trade shows, where we can engage directly with leaders and share our vision for the future of energy management and industrial automation.
We also have a roadmap to provide practical solutions, thought leadership, and accessible insights into critical areas like decarbonisation, electrification, and digitalisation. Ultimately, this will be underpinned by greater, more targeted engagement with our customers and distributors across Ireland. By working closely with them, understanding their unique challenges, and co-creating solutions, we can ensure our visibility is built on genuine partnership and delivered value.
Q: You’ve spoken about workforce transformation — what’s your approach to talent development and retention?
A: This industry is undergoing a generational shift. We’re seeing experienced experts retire while also bringing in younger talent through apprenticeships and graduate programmes. The key is balancing that transition — retaining and valuing our mature talent while also transferring their knowledge to the next generation. Talent and skills sustainability are strategic priorities for us, especially in complex technical roles.
Q: How will your experience across the UK & Ireland help in this new role?
A: We operate within a UK and Ireland zone, and that brings natural synergies. It means we don’t need two of everything. Especially in a more constrained budget environment, it’s important to leverage shared resources — whether that’s back-office operations or bringing in UK-based engineers for specialised projects.
Q: What’s your leadership style when it comes to internal versus external focus?
A: I aim for a 50/50 balance between internal management and external engagement. It fluctuates depending on what’s happening in the market, but staying connected is essential — whether through industry events, customer visits, or collaboration with government and policy bodies. It’s the only way to maintain a real-time understanding of market needs.
Q: What excites you most about leading Schneider Electric Ireland at this time?
A: The energy transition is one of the most defining challenges—and opportunities—of our time. Our products, services, and software solutions are uniquely positioned to add real value by enabling smarter, more sustainable energy systems. As digitalisation accelerates, AI is unlocking new ways to optimise performance, enhance decision-making, and deepen customer engagement. It’s an incredibly dynamic space, and we’re excited to lead not just in innovation, but in shaping Ireland’s energy future with purpose and impact.
