Vertiv announces the retirement of Karsten Winther as EMEA president and appoints Paul Ryan, with over 20 years of industry experience, as the new regional leader, highlighting a strategic emphasis on supply chain resilience amid industry disruptions.
Vertiv has confirmed a significant leadership transition in its Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region with the upcoming retirement of Karsten Winther, who will step down as president on December 31, 2025. Paul Ryan...
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, the company’s current Chief Procurement Officer, will assume the presidency starting January 1, 2026.
Karsten Winther’s tenure at Vertiv has been marked by a steady rise from regional sales leadership to executive management, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the business strategy, operational excellence, and profitability of the EMEA region. Giordano Albertazzi, Vertiv’s CEO, praised Winther’s leadership, noting his ability to navigate complex market dynamics and build lasting customer relationships as critical factors in the company’s regional success. Winther will remain in his role until the end of 2025 to ensure a smooth transition.
Paul Ryan brings more than 20 years of experience within the industry and an impressive track record in procurement and supply chain management. For over eight years, he has led Vertiv’s global procurement and supply chain teams, overseeing a significant transformation that enhanced supply chain resilience, continuity, and service quality, while instilling a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. Prior to this, Ryan held several senior positions at Emerson Network Power — the predecessor company to Vertiv — covering leadership roles in EMEA, Asia Pacific, and global operations related to data center solutions.
Educationally, Ryan holds both a bachelor’s degree in production management and a master’s degree in science from the University of Limerick, complemented by completion of the prestigious executive development program at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. Albertazzi views Ryan’s appointment as a reflection of his strong commercial acumen and proven ability to execute both regionally and globally, positioning him well to drive further growth in the EMEA region.
Coinciding with Ryan’s new role, Patrick Grainey has been named acting Chief Procurement Officer, reporting directly to the CEO. Grainey will hold this interim position as Vertiv begins the recruitment process for a permanent appointment.
This leadership shift arrives at a time when Vertiv continues to focus on strategic growth and operational excellence across its global markets. Ryan’s deep experience in supply chain and procurement is expected to be an asset, particularly as the industry faces ongoing challenges related to supply chain disruptions and the evolving demands of data centre infrastructure clients.
The internal promotion signals Vertiv’s commitment to nurturing leadership talent within its ranks, while maintaining continuity in overseeing its strategic objectives in the EMEA region. Observers will be watching how this transition influences Vertiv’s competitive positioning as the company navigates a complex and rapidly changing technological landscape.
Source: Noah Wire Services
