Lifetime of Achievement: Antonio Neri
Antonio Neri is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), one of the world's leading enterprise technology companies. He has been at the helm since February 2018, overseeing HPE's transformation into an edge-to-cloud solutions provider.
His path to the CEO role began in 1995 when he joined Hewlett-Packard (before the company split into HP Inc. and HPE) in an Amsterdam call centre supporting customers.
“Our team was a diverse and passionate group of team members – collectively we spoke 21 different languages! It was an incredibly fulfilling experience, but I never imagined it would ultimately culminate with the opportunity to serve as CEO,” he said in an interview with HPE to celebrate five years at the helm.
Over 23 years, Antonio has risen through the ranks in various technology leadership positions at HP, including heading the Server and Networking business and the Technology Services organisation.
Taking on the top job after previous CEO Meg Whitman’s move to split HP, creating HP Inc and HPE, Antonio has capitalised on major technology megatrends around edge computing, cloud and data analytics. He has accelerated HPE's innovation through targeted acquisitions in areas like networking, artificial intelligence, data storage and cybersecurity. Notable deals include acquiring companies like Aruba Networks, Axis Security, Cray, Determined AI, Nimble Storage, Pachyderm, Silicon Graphics, Silver Peak and Zerto.
“We have introduced incredible customer-centric innovation like HPE GreenLake, which brings the cloud to our customers’ applications and data, no matter where they live. We have also made the impossible possible with breakthroughs like Frontier, the world’s first supercomputer to break the exascale speed barrier, ushering in a new era of scientific discovery.
“When I reflect on what I have learned through my own career journey, it is clear that I have always had a passion for designing new ways to solve problems using technology. My engineering background has served me well in my first five years as CEO, giving me a deep understanding of our technology and valuable experience in applying that technology to help customers meet their goals. In the early years, I held various engineering and technology roles, and it was my responsibility to collect the data, analyse its implications, and articulate and inspire a clear path forward—not unlike what is required of me today in a very different role.”
Emphasising HPE's culture has been a top priority for Antonio as CEO. He has focused on rebuilding confidence, celebrating the company's innovative spirit, and engaging employees worldwide. Under his tenure, HPE has been recognised as one of Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For.
“When I took over as CEO, I placed an emphasis on culture with a focus on rebuilding the company’s confidence and swagger,” he adds. “I was struck and motivated by the incredibly passionate and talented team members we have around the world. And to this day, I still find myself inspired by how vibrant, genuine, and unconditionally committed to our purpose of advancing the way people live and work they are – just like my colleagues in the Amsterdam call centre back in 1995.”
With an engineering background, Antonio credits his success to having great mentors, being open to experimentation, and surrounding himself with people who challenge him to grow. As he reflects on leading HPE, Neri sees applying technology in new ways to solve problems as both his passion and the key to HPE's continued transformation.
“No matter your role, I believe you need people around you who will allow you to grow, to fail, and to experiment. I have had the good fortune to learn from some of the best in the business. I once had a mentor tell me that I was “a diamond in the rough – with a little polishing, [I] could go far.” That statement stuck with me, and I have made it a point to look for ways to help team members achieve their professional dreams at HPE, just like I have.
“I am more confident than ever that we have a winning strategy and a winning team. I feel an incredible amount of excitement for the years ahead as we continue to write HPE’s next chapter.”
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