Seco appoints Clara Smith as Vice President – Strategy & Transformation
June 12, 2024
Seco Tools, headquartered in Fagersta, Sweden, has appointed Clara Smith to the role of Vice President – Strategy & Transformation. Smith, who will be based in the UK, will also become a member of the Seco Management Group and report to Seco President Stefan Steenstrup.
In her new role, Smith will take an active part in setting the strategic direction for Seco, and work to drive overall company improvements and increased efficiency through cross-functional collaboration. She will also lead the strategy execution and strategic business planning, as well as M&A-related activities.
In her most recent position as Group Head of Market Strategy at Hitachi Rail, Smith reportedly played a pivotal role in shaping global market and operations strategy across regions and lines of business, including organic and inorganic growth. She has also led a variety of corporate assignments for the Hitachi Group, including on decarbonisation and COP26.
Prior to Hitachi, Smith gained experience across sectors from consumer goods to development banks, working in areas such as market & operational strategy development and mergers & acquisitions, including cross-border, antitrust and corporate transformation.
Smith holds degrees from Oxford University and New York University.
”With her strong leadership skills, strategic vision, and ability to drive change, Clara is well-positioned to lead Seco’s Strategy & Transformation efforts into the future. Clara’s experience makes her an excellent fit for this position,” said Steenstrup.
In addition, Smith will manage the identification and development of new business opportunities, including strategic partnerships. Through digitalisation, new acquisitions, and optimisation of the current operating model, she will work to strengthen the leading market position and foundation for additional revenue growth.