Nicholas Cumins Takes Charge as CEO of Bentley Systems, Ushering in a New Era
Bentley Systems, Incorporated (Nasdaq: BSY) announced today that Nicholas Cumins has officially taken the helm as CEO. Cumins succeeds Greg Bentley, the eldest of the five brothers who founded the company, who now serves as the Executive Chair of its Board of Directors. This appointment marks a historic milestone as Cumins becomes the first non-Bentley family member to lead the company in its 40-year history.
Bentley Systems, a pioneer in infrastructure engineering software, has grown exponentially since the Bentley brothers developed MicroStation, a groundbreaking engineering application platform. Over four decades and more than 120 acquisitions later, the company stands as a global leader in infrastructure digital twin solutions used for designing, building, and operating critical infrastructure worldwide.
The transition to Cumins’ leadership occurs at a pivotal moment for the infrastructure sector. With a pressing need for engineers to meet global sustainability targets and adapt aging infrastructure to withstand the effects of climate change, Cumins outlined Bentley’s vision for infrastructure resilience. He emphasized the role of software in overcoming talent shortages and enhancing infrastructure resilience.
“Infrastructure is at a watershed moment. Despite the massive capital investment in infrastructure projects and jobs post-pandemic, so much more remains to be done to make infrastructure more resilient. Our ability to bridge that gap will literally determine the quality of life for generations to come. Fortunately, a paradigm shift in software is reshaping the landscape. AI-powered digital twin solutions are unlocking the value of data across the infrastructure lifecycle,” said Cumins.
Bentley’s AI solutions are revolutionizing how organizations monitor the health of infrastructure assets such as roads, bridges, dams, water networks, and telecommunications towers. Cumins highlighted the potential of AI to improve asset performance and make infrastructure more resilient, stating, “Every owner-operator in the world is looking for a simpler and more effective way to understand the condition of their assets. Think what the power and possibilities of AI imply for improving asset performance and making infrastructure more resilient. This is the moment for our generation to apply its ingenuity and build upon the legacy of innovation to continue advancing the world’s infrastructure for better quality of life.”
Cumins has been with Bentley Systems since September 2020, serving as Chief Product Officer and then as COO from January 2022. His extensive experience includes roles as General Manager of SAP Marketing Cloud, Chief Product Officer of Scytl, and Senior Vice President of Product at OpenX. Cumins holds dual French and U.S. citizenship and is based in France.
