Eaton appoints David Foster as CFO
Former executive returns after 29-year career to lead finance during period of strong demand and growth.
Image for illustrative purposes / Credit: Lutsenko Oleksandr, Shutterstock.com
Ireland, Dublin: Eaton has announced the appointment of David Foster as executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective 2 March 2026. He succeeds Olivier Leonetti, who will leave the company on 13 March 2026 as part of a planned leadership transition.
Foster returns to Eaton after a long career with the company, where he previously worked for 29 years. During that time, he held a range of senior positions across the finance organisation and supported key business operations in Asia Pacific and the United States.
“Dave brings a wealth of experience to Eaton – with a deep understanding of our operations and a unique understanding of our markets and customers at a critical time of unprecedented demand and growth,” said Eaton CEO Paulo Ruiz. “With proven experience of finance excellence, portfolio management and the ability to build organisational capability and discipline at scale, I am pleased to welcome him back to our team.”
Before retiring from Eaton in 2022, Foster served as senior vice president, Finance and Planning, Industrial Sector. Throughout his career at the company he worked in several areas including financial planning and analysis, controllership, corporate development, treasury, and mergers and acquisitions.
“I am looking forward to coming back to Eaton, a place I called home for nearly three decades. Eaton is at a pivotal point in its journey to become the world’s premier power management company and I am excited to be part of this next phase of growth and opportunity,” Foster said.
Foster holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in Manufacturing Management from Kettering University.
Source: Eaton
