Richard “Brian” Arwood is a dynamic and results-driven business executive and consultant with more than 30 years of experience leading global operations, financial strategy, customer experience transformation, and merger integration in the IT and hardware sectors. Brian has dedicated his career to driving growth, enhancing operational efficiency, and delivering lasting business value for some of the world’s most recognized Fortune 500 companies, including nearly two decades at Lenovo and over a decade at IBM. His legacy of leadership spans across continents, where he has guided large, diverse, cross-functional teams to success in complex and evolving business environments.
Brian most recently served as Executive Director of Service Delivery Operations at Lenovo’s $10B Data Center Group, where he oversaw a globally dispersed team of more than 200 professionals. Under his leadership, the group achieved transformative improvements in customer experience and operational performance, including 5–15% annual cost reductions and record-breaking increases in customer satisfaction across multiple regions. By deploying CRM tools and introducing AI-driven automation strategies, Brian enhanced agent productivity by 15%, while expanding service offerings across 30 countries and five languages.
In his previous role as Director of Global Services Operations for Lenovo’s Enterprise Product Group, Brian managed the strategic planning process for a $1B–$1.5B services business. He played a pivotal role in four major M&A transactions, ranging from $300M to $2.1B, leading due diligence and post-acquisition integration efforts. His work aligned global services strategy with financial and operational objectives, including procurement negotiations for outsourcing contracts valued at $100M–$200M. He also established a global analytics function that improved decision-making and operational transparency.
Brian’s early tenure at Lenovo included various financial leadership positions, including serving as the Financial Controller for the $1B+ personal computer services and options divisions. He was instrumental in developing and executing corporate financial plans, warranty cost controls, and financial strategies to grow service and peripheral revenues. His financial acumen supported Lenovo’s strategic goals while delivering consistent improvements in profitability and scalability.
Before joining Lenovo, Brian spent over a decade at IBM in the Personal Computers Division. He advanced through multiple finance roles, ultimately managing Americas-wide planning and budgeting for a $4B geography and contributing to a three-year strategic plan for IBM’s $15B global PC business. Brian also played a central role in the financial systems migration process during Lenovo’s acquisition of IBM’s PC division in 2005.
Brian’s reputation as a transformational leader is rooted in his ability to synthesize complex data, align cross-functional teams, and implement forward-thinking strategies. Whether guiding outsourcing negotiations, optimizing P&L management, or overseeing AI and CRM deployment, his approach is grounded in accountability, transparency, and results. He is widely respected for his capacity to lead with both financial rigor and operational empathy.
Throughout his career, Brian has demonstrated a global mindset, managing teams across Japan, Germany, Brazil, and China. His cultural intelligence and international business acumen have enabled seamless expansion of services and integration of global operations, positioning organizations to meet customer needs with agility and precision. His leadership style emphasizes inclusivity, education, and continuous improvement.
In addition to his professional achievements, Brian has remained committed to mentorship and community engagement. He has served as a guest speaker for Business Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses and volunteered as an Assistant Scoutmaster and Den Leader in the Boy Scouts of America. These roles reflect his passion for developing future leaders and giving back to the community.
Brian earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, graduating cum laude. His academic foundation in finance continues to inform his executive decision-making and strategic planning to this day.
With a blend of technical expertise, financial mastery, and people-first leadership, Brian is now focused on board service, where he aims to bring his broad-based experience to guide small and medium-sized businesses through transformation, growth, and value creation. He believes that board service is the next chapter in his career journey—one where his insights, character, and global perspective can make a meaningful difference.
Character:
Brian is grounded in integrity, transparency, and a deep sense of responsibility to the teams and organizations he leads. His commitment to mentorship and community reflects a strong personal compass and genuine care for others’ growth and well-being.
Knowledge:
Brian’s three decades of expertise span financial leadership, global operations, and customer experience across hardware and IT sectors. He has led initiatives from M&A to CRM/AI integration with a deep understanding of both macro strategy and operational detail.
Strategic:
He brings a high-level strategic mindset forged through Fortune 500 experience, aligning financial, customer, and operational goals to deliver measurable results. His ability to plan, negotiate, and execute at scale has led to billions in managed revenue and cost efficiency.
Communication:
Brian excels at cross-cultural and cross-functional communication, capable of inspiring large global teams while also communicating complex financial and operational topics with clarity. His collaborative approach fosters alignment and trust among stakeholders at all levels.
