Executive changes at two leading global lighting companies

Recently, leading international lighting company Acuity Inc. and LEDVANCE have each announced management appointments. These personnel changes reflect the strategic direction of top overseas companies: ramping up investments in smart buildings, digital transformation, and B2B project business.

She Appointed New President of Acuity Brands Lighting

On August 18, 2026, Acuity Inc. announced the appointment of Ruth Gratzke as President of Acuity Brands Lighting (ABL), effective September 1, 2026. She will report to Acuity CEO Neil Ashe.

Ruth Gratzke brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in industrial technology, smart infrastructure, and electrical products. She joined Acuity from Siemens, where she previously served as President of Siemens Smart Infrastructure for the U.S. and as CEO of Siemens Industry, overseeing smart building solutions, edge‑grid technologies, and energy infrastructure initiatives. During her tenure at Siemens, she drove scalable growth across complex product portfolios while advancing digital infrastructure, energy efficiency optimization, and data center‑related projects. She has also held senior management roles at GE and Hubbell. Ruth Gratzke excels at building high‑performing teams, with a management style that emphasizes employee empowerment, accountability, and delivering customer value.

Acuity Inc. CEO Neil Ashe stated: “Lighting and control systems are indispensable technologies in all types of built environments, and Acuity Brands Lighting is an industry benchmark. Ruth Gratzke is the ideal leader to guide this business. Her proven track record in managing complex technology and infrastructure operations, building high‑performing teams, and driving growth will help ABL consolidate its industry leadership position and seize future opportunities.”

Upon assuming her new role, she will assume full responsibility for Acuity’s lighting business segment. Acuity Inc. noted that this leadership transition builds on the significant progress achieved by Sach Sankpal during his tenure, expressing gratitude for his many contributions. Sach Sankpal will remain with Acuity for a transitional period to ensure a smooth handover, working closely alongside Neil Ashe.

LEDVANCE Appoints Managing Director

LEDVANCE, a global provider of mainstream lighting solutions for both professional users and consumers, continues to refine its customer‑centric organizational structure in Europe.

As part of this restructuring, LEDVANCE recently announced that Dr. Markus Emmert has been appointed Managing Director, effective August 1, 2026, while continuing to serve as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and reporting directly to CEO Sun Qinghuan.

Emmert joined LEDVANCE when the company was founded in 2016 and brings extensive experience in the lighting industry, including stints at OSRAM. Prior to becoming CFO, he served as European Finance Director and officially assumed the CFO role on October 1, 2023, subsequently becoming a member of LEDVANCE’s Management Board. He has also spearheaded the group’s global transformation initiative, LEDVANCE Digital Future (LDF), which coordinates iterative upgrades to digital processes, systems, and services—aimed at streamlining collaboration with customers and partners and accelerating LEDVANCE’s digital business growth.

According to reports, key priorities in LEDVANCE’s organizational development include expanding B2B and project‑based business, strengthening collaboration with wholesale partners, and making targeted investments in digitizing the customer journey. These measures will enable LEDVANCE to better meet customer needs, deepen existing partnerships, and drive long-term growth.

Dr. Markus Emmert commented: “Europe is a critical growth market for LEDVANCE. Our goal is to support customers and wholesale partners more effectively through reliable products, robust services, and innovative digital solutions. At the same time, we are simplifying our processes and steadily expanding our B2B and project‑based offerings.”

In addition, LEDVANCE Executive Senior Vice President Jue Wang will depart the company on September 30, 2026, citing personal reasons. LEDVANCE expressed deep appreciation for Jue Wang’s many years of dedicated leadership and his significant contributions to the company’s organizational development.

Compiled and published by China Light Network