Following the previously announced CEO transition plan by Bentley Systems, Incorporated (Nasdaq: BSY), Nicholas Cumins officially takes the helm as CEO today. Cumins succeeds Greg Bentley, the eldest of the five founding brothers of Bentley Systems, who will now serve as Executive Chair of the Board of Directors.
This marks a historic milestone for Bentley Systems, as Cumins becomes the first CEO in the company’s 40-year history who is not a Bentley family member. The Bentley brothers revolutionized computer-aided design (CAD) software with the development of MicroStation, a groundbreaking engineering application platform. Over four decades of innovation and more than 120 acquisitions later, Bentley Systems is a leading provider of infrastructure engineering software. Its infrastructure digital twin solutions are instrumental in designing, building, and operating critical infrastructure worldwide.
Cumins’ leadership transition occurs at a crucial time for the infrastructure sector. The industry faces a shortage of engineers needed to meet global sustainability targets and adapt aging infrastructure to withstand climate change.
Cumins outlined Bentley’s vision for infrastructure resilience, emphasizing the role of software in overcoming talent shortages faced by engineering firms and asset owner-operators.
“Infrastructure is at a watershed moment. Despite significant capital investment in post-pandemic infrastructure projects and jobs, much more needs to be done to enhance resilience. Our ability to bridge this gap will significantly impact the quality of life for future generations. Fortunately, a paradigm shift in software is transforming the industry. AI-powered digital twin solutions are unlocking data value across the infrastructure lifecycle.”
Bentley’s AI solutions are already revolutionizing how organizations monitor the health of roads, bridges, dams, water networks, and telecommunications towers.
“Every owner-operator globally seeks simpler and more effective ways to understand their assets’ conditions. The power and possibilities of AI in improving asset performance and making infrastructure more resilient are immense. This is our generation’s moment to apply ingenuity and continue the legacy of innovation to advance global infrastructure for a better quality of life.”
Before becoming CEO, Cumins served as Bentley Systems’ COO since January 2022. He joined the company as Chief Product Officer in September 2020, prior to its IPO. Previously, he was General Manager of SAP Marketing Cloud, Chief Product Officer of Scytl (an online voting platform), and Senior Vice President of Product at OpenX (a programmatic advertising pioneer). Cumins also held various senior roles at SAP in product management, corporate strategy, and business development. He is a dual French and U.S. citizen and is based in France.
