• CERAWEEK 2025 | March 10-14, 2025
  • CERAWEEK
  • March 10 - 14, 2025

Chris Dartnell

Schneider Electric

Senior Vice President, Power Systems

Chris is the SVP for Commercial and Operational activities globally for the Power Systems business of Schneider Electric. Power Systems is one of the principle businesses of Schneider and delivers MV and LV electrical distribution projects around the world. Schneider is the largest supplier of both MV and LV equipment to the market. Power Systems provides End-Users and their partners with projects to electro-intensive industries such as electrical Power Grids, renewables, Oil & Gas, Chemicals, Mining & Minerals, Data Centres, Healthcare, Industrial users, transportation and large commercial projects. Schneider is proud to be leading the definition of the all-electric, all digital, sustainable world with its innovative technology and approach. Before his current role, Chris was the President of the Oil, Gas and Petrochemicals business for Schneider Electric, focussed on improving the safety, reliability, profitability, operability and digitization of our customer’s businesses and assets. He joined Schneider in 2014 as the Commercial SVP for the Process Automation business of Schneider. Prior to working at Schneider, most of his career has been spent working in automation and software in the Oil & Gas and Industrial markets. He has led teams across a number of senior roles in sales, marketing and general management (predominantly with Honeywell) including General Management leadership for Southern Europe, Africa, China, India and Brazil. He started his career in the UK, in oil refining as a Process Control Engineer for Mobil Oil at the Coryton refinery. Chris has a degree from the University of Kent in Chemical Automation Engineering and an MBA Diploma from the Edinburgh Business School. He is married with two children and lives in the London area.

Sessions With Chris Dartnell

Tuesday, 10 March

  • 12:30pm - 01:20pm (CST) / -

    How Digitalization Is Disrupting Refining & Petrochemicals
    Downstream, Midstream & Chemicals Digitalization

    Digitalization, aka Industry 4.0, is changing the future of the petrochemical, energy, and related industries, with respect to long-term sustainability (e.g., environmental responsibility, cost efficiencies). Moreover, digitalization is expected to change the way these industries construct and operate assets, that is, to produce at a higher quality products and services with less human and natural resources, environmental impacts, and in a safe manner. First movers are implementing digital technology across operational areas with the use of cloud and cognitive computing and automation—all involving the integration of business processes and digitalization technology. However, this speed of adoption for a company is complex; governed by the speed of its change management within a transforming enterprise. What is the status of adoption? What types of barriers to implementation do the refining and petrochemical industries encounter? What successes have they achieved thus far?