Neil M. Ashe
Neil M. Ashe has served as President and CEO of Acuity since 2020 and as Chairman of Acuity since 2021.
Neil has transformed Acuity from a traditional luminaires business into a leading industrial technology company comprised of electronics, data and controls. Under his leadership, Acuity's market capitalization has tripled, driven by strategic focus and improved financial performance. He established a values-driven culture and introduced the proprietary Better.Smarter.Faster. operating system that empowers associates to operate more productively with greater distribution of responsibility. Neil reorganized the business into two segments—Acuity Brands Lighting and Acuity Intelligent Spaces—and oversaw strategic acquisitions that expanded capabilities and reach, including OSRAM's North American Digital Systems business in 2021 and the $1.2 billion acquisition of QSC, LLC in 2025.
Before joining Acuity, Neil built a track record of leading digital transformation at scale. He was CEO of the investment firm, Faster Horses LLC (2017-2019), advising companies on digital transformation and growth strategies. He served as President and CEO of Global eCommerce & Technology at Walmart, Inc (2012 to 2017), where he reimagined and rebuilt the eCommerce business including the technology and fulfillment operations. He also served as President of CBS Interactive (2008-2011) and CEO of CNET Networks, Inc. (2006-2008).
Neil earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Georgetown University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.