As businesses increasingly embrace data and AI, leaders find innovative ways to drive transformation and unlock value. George Linton, Chief Data Officer at Electrolux, has spent over two decades shaping the company’s approach to digital transformation. He has been leveraging data to propel business growth. In this interview, George shares how his diverse experience, from finance to business services, has influenced his data-driven leadership. Moreover, he shares how cross-functional collaboration plays a key role in maximizing the potential of data!
Drawing from his journey, George discusses how Electrolux is connecting data and AI strategies. He also highlights the shift in focus from data costs to value creation and the fostering of collaboration to drive results. His insights provide a roadmap for organizations looking to harness the power of data and AI, emphasizing responsible practices and tangible business outcomes.
George will be one of the featured speakers at the upcoming Data Innovation Summit 2025. Keep reading to learn more about his approach and how it can help shape the future of your data strategy!
Hyperight: George, you’ve had an impressive career at Electrolux spanning over two decades. Can you share how your journey in IT and digital transformation led you to your current role as Chief Data Officer?
George Linton: I’m fortunate to be allowed to hold leadership roles in many different parts of Electrolux and across two regions, including internal audit, finance, business services, and IT. The common denominator has been driving change through people to improve business value.
Driving change is about cross-functional collaboration and requires buy-in from different stakeholders and a shared vision. This I bring with me into my role as Chief Data Officer (CDO) where my focus is on leveraging data and AI at speed to unlock true business value at scale.
Hyperight: Your business services experience has shaped your data and AI approach. How did your early roles in IT and business services influence the way you think about data as a driver of business value?
George Linton: Electrolux Business Services that I’m leading today in addition to my role as CDO, includes the global shared services for Finance, HR, and Master Data. Earlier in my career I had the opportunity to lead the finance shared services. I learned early the importance of data to drive value through strong processes and a continuous improvement culture. This involves standardizing and removing waste from processes, and then driving efficiency through automation.
The foundation of driving change is access to the right data and knowing your starting point and setting targets for where you want to take the organization. For this you need data to make the right decisions. Data is a powerful driver of business value when approached strategically.
Hyperight: At the 10th jubilee edition of the Data Innovation Summit 2025, you will talk about moves that shape Electrolux Group’s data & AI future. What can the delegates expect from your presentation?
George Linton: Delegates can expect to learn about my experience on how to drive a transformative data and AI strategy to unlock business value. Framing this around our three strategic moves –
- Seamlessly connecting data and AI strategies,
- Shifting focus from data cost to value creation, and
- Fostering cross-functional collaboration.
I will leave participants with tangible examples from Electrolux Group, and best practices they can apply in their own organizations.
Hyperight: Having worked across various roles within Electrolux, what have been the key lessons you’ve learned about fostering collaboration? Especially when it comes to data and AI?
George Linton: Creating an open and inclusive environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their ideas and expertise. This is important to get diverse perspectives and skills to unlock their full potential of data and AI – as it is such a dynamic and fast-moving field.
By promoting a culture of continuous learning and encouraging cross-functional collaboration, we can harness the power of data and AI. This approach helps drive meaningful business outcomes.
The importance of data literacy to get the full community of Electrolux to work with data. Data is a team sport.
As a leader, my philosophy centers on setting a clear vision and empowering my team to find the best path to achieve it. I believe in the importance of agility, as the best approach can vary depending on the situation.
Hyperight: With over two decades at Electrolux, you’ve seen the evolution of data practices and technology firsthand. What has been the most significant shift you’ve observed in how businesses view and leverage data over the years?
George Linton: One remarkable change I’ve witnessed is the shift in how data is perceived. It has moved from being something that was merely generated as a byproduct of business operations to being recognized as a strategic asset. As data became central to our decision-making processes, we started aligning our data strategy directly with our AI strategy. Additionally, there’s been a growing recognition of the importance of data governance – not just as a technical requirement, but as a core discipline that ensures we have the high-quality, high-volume data needed to power AI solutions effectively.
Hyperight: As a seasoned leader, what qualities do you believe are most important for leaders to have when it comes to driving a culture of data collaboration and responsible AI?
George Linton: I believe that driving a culture of data collaboration and responsible AI requires a combination of strategic vision and adaptability. We need to have a clear vision for how data and AI can create business value. This involves understanding the technical aspects and being able to communicate the potential impact on business outcomes and how to track it against strategic objectives. In the end AI is not a technology topic, it is a business strategy.Â
At the same time, we need to ensure we do this in a responsible way. At Electrolux Group, we have established 5 AI principles that we follow: Transparency, Fairness, Accountability, Privacy & Security, and Reliability & Safety.
Data is a team sport and fostering cross-functional collaboration is crucial. It has been important to have buy-in from various departments, break down silos, and cultivate a data-driven mindset that encourages shared ownership and teamwork.
As the field of data and AI constantly evolves, we must be willing to navigate challenges and celebrate successes along the way.
In summary, a strategic vision, curiosity, and adaptability are key qualities for leaders aiming to drive a culture of data collaboration and responsible AI. These qualities help in aligning data initiatives with business goals. Moreover, fostering a collaborative environment, and staying ahead in a rapidly changing landscape.
Hyperight: Looking ahead, how do you see your journey and Electrolux’s approach contributing to the broader conversation on data-driven transformation in business?
George Linton: All companies are trying to find how to truly drive business value at scale through AI. It is great with events such as the Data Innovation Summit to meet with peers from other industries and companies and share experiences, what works and what has shown not to be so successful.
If you’re interested in learning more, don’t miss George Linton’s presentation at the Data Innovation Summit 2025! He’ll share insights into how Electrolux is shaping its data and AI strategy to drive business value at scale. George will discuss how connecting data and AI, shifting the focus from data costs to value creation, and fostering cross-functional collaboration are the key pillars of their transformative approach.
If you’re looking for practical strategies on aligning data with business goals, promoting a data-driven culture, and fostering collaboration across teams, George’s session will provide valuable insights to help you navigate your own data-driven transformation.
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