Mentor
Martin Craighead
Overview
Martin Craighead is an accomplished global business leader and former Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Baker Hughes, one of the worlds leading technology companies. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he held senior operational, technical and executive roles, developing a reputation for leading largescale transformation, managing complex field operations and driving innovation across the energy value chain. Known for his international perspective and disciplined leadership style, he has guided organisations through periods of significant industry, geopolitical and technological change.
Martin began his career as a research engineer before rising through positions of increasing responsibility at Baker Hughes. His leadership portfolio spans technology and product development, global marketing, business development, drilling and evaluation services, and multi billion dollar operational divisions. He served as President and Chief Operating Officer, later becoming Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board. Following the merger of Baker Hughes with GE Oil & Gas, he served as Vice Chair of Baker Hughes, a GE Company (BHGE).
Today, Martin contributes his experience to several major public and private company boards. He serves as a Non-Executive Director of Emerson Electric, Texas Instruments and XGS Energy, bringing expertise in advanced industrial technologies, semiconductors, automation and renewable energy innovation. He is recognised for his global operational experience, risk aware decision making, understanding of activist and institutional investor dynamics, and ability to guide organisations through strategic inflection points.
Martin brings cross sector expertise in:
• Global operational leadership across energy, industrials and technology driven sectors
• Transformation, restructuring, M&A integration and largescale organisational change
• Technology, innovation and advanced engineering in complex industrial environments
• Board leadership and governance across publicly listed and high growth private companies
A committed supporter of talent development, international leadership and ethical decision making, Martin has spoken widely on global-minded executive development, drawing on lessons from his early expatriate roles in Latin America and Asia. He holds a petroleum engineering degree from Penn State University and an MBA from Vanderbilt University.
PDF Profile
Download PDFMajor Career Roles
Baker Hughes
Chair and Chief Executive Officer
Baker Hughes
Vice Chair
Emerson Electric
Independent Director
Texas Instruments
Independent Director
XGS Energy
Director
Access to an unmatched roster of world-class Mentors
Our unrivalled global roster of board chairs and CEOs offers the seasoned wisdom of proven world-class leaders. Explore this rich array of talent and connect with us to begin a mentoring journey shaped around your leadership context.
