Craig Arnold

Craig Arnold
Birthplace	United States
Nationality	American
Occupation	Business executive
Title	Former Chairman and CEO, Eaton Corporation
Employer	Eaton Corporation (former)
Known for	Chairman and CEO of Eaton Corporation

Craig Arnold is an American business executive who served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Eaton Corporation, a global intelligent power management company. During his tenure leading Eaton, Arnold oversaw the company's strategic transformation and growth as a major industrial conglomerate. Since stepping down from the top role at Eaton, Arnold has continued to serve in prominent corporate governance positions, including appointments to the boards of directors of Procter & Gamble and KKR & Co. Inc., reflecting his standing as a respected figure in American corporate leadership. His career at Eaton spanned multiple decades and encompassed leadership of several of the company's major business segments before he ascended to the chief executive position.

Career

Eaton Corporation

Craig Arnold built his career at Eaton Corporation, a multinational power management company headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, with significant operations across the globe. Arnold rose through the organization's ranks over the course of his tenure, holding leadership positions across several of Eaton's major business divisions before ultimately being named to the company's top executive position.

Arnold served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Eaton Corporation. In this dual role, he was responsible for the overall strategic direction and operational management of the company, which operates as a global intelligent power management enterprise. Eaton's portfolio under Arnold's leadership encompassed electrical, aerospace, vehicle, and eMobility business segments, serving customers in more than 175 countries.

As CEO, Arnold guided Eaton through a period in which the company positioned itself at the intersection of several major global trends, including electrification, the energy transition, and digital transformation of industrial infrastructure. The company's focus on intelligent power management reflected a strategic emphasis on technologies and solutions that help customers manage electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical power more efficiently and sustainably.

Arnold's leadership of Eaton earned recognition in the business community and positioned him as a prominent voice on issues related to industrial innovation, power management, and global manufacturing. His experience leading a complex, multinational industrial company with diverse business segments provided him with broad expertise in corporate strategy, operations, and governance.

Post-Eaton Board Appointments

Following his tenure as Chairman and CEO of Eaton Corporation, Arnold transitioned into corporate board service, joining the boards of directors of several major companies.

In June 2025, The Procter & Gamble Company announced the appointment of Craig Arnold to its board of directors. The announcement described Arnold as the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Eaton Corporation and noted his extensive experience in leading a global enterprise. Procter & Gamble, one of the world's largest consumer goods companies, added Arnold to its board to bring his expertise in global operations, technology, and corporate leadership to the consumer products giant's governance structure.

In September 2025, KKR & Co. Inc., the global investment firm, announced that it had appointed Craig Arnold to its board of directors. The appointment increased KKR's independent board seats to eleven. KKR, listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker KKR, is one of the world's leading investment firms, and Arnold's appointment reflected the firm's interest in adding directors with deep operational and corporate leadership experience to its governance structure.

These board appointments placed Arnold in governance roles at two of the most prominent companies in their respective sectors — consumer goods and alternative asset management — and underscored his reputation as a corporate leader whose experience was valued across industries.

Recognition

Arnold's tenure as Chairman and CEO of Eaton Corporation, and his subsequent appointments to the boards of major corporations, reflect his recognition as a significant figure in American business. His selection by Procter & Gamble for its board of directors indicated that one of the world's most prominent consumer goods companies valued his leadership experience and global business acumen. Similarly, KKR's decision to appoint Arnold to its board, specifically noting that the move increased the number of independent seats, suggested that the investment firm regarded his operational expertise and governance experience as assets to its oversight structure.

Arnold's career trajectory — from a series of leadership roles within Eaton's various business segments to the chairman and CEO position, and subsequently to prominent board seats — represents a pattern of sustained recognition within the American corporate community. His ability to transition from leading a major industrial conglomerate to serving on the boards of companies in different sectors demonstrates the breadth of his business expertise and the regard in which he is held by corporate governance professionals.