Ian King takes over at BAE Systems

BAE Systems has promoted, Ian
King, its chief operating officer to the chief executive position at the
aeropace giant.

King, a qualified accountant, was FD of Marconi Electronic Systems for six
years leading up to BAE Systems’ merger with the company. He was then promoted
to group strategy and planning director responsible for group strategy, budgets
and transactions activity.

‘He is a highly experienced business leader with a proven track record in our
key home markets. His performance focus and depth of knowledge of the global
defence industry will benefit the continued progression of the successful
strategy that has been pursued by the company during the course of Mike Turner’s
leadership,’ said chairman Dick Olver.

However, his appointment surprised some analysts who thought the pressure was
on for BAE Systems to appoint an external candidate following the US Justice
Department’s investigation into the weapons deals with Saudi Arabia. Turner and
non executive director and charted accountant Sir Nigel Rudd were stopped last
month by investigators as they entered the US with Turner’s phone and computer
gear seized.

Olver said BAE had interviewed `’a number of people from a number of places
around the world’’ and was confident it had chosen the right man for the job.
BAE is believed to have short-listed two Americans and three Europeans for the
post.

Further Reading:

Bloomberg

The Times