BAE recruits chief from own ranks

Jun 28 2008 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

DEFENCE group BAE Systems has named chief operating officer Ian King as its next chief executive.

Mr King, 52, will replace Mike Turner in the top job at the beginning of September.

The announcement ends the uncertainty over who would next head the world’s third-largest defence company.

Mr Turner’s retirement after more than 40 years’ service was announced last October.

Mr King joined defence company Marconi in 1976 as a graduate, 23 years before its merger with British Aerospace formed BAE Systems.

Portsmouth Football Club fan Mr King, who lives in the city, will be in charge of nearly 100,000 employees around the world, including hundreds at the former Armstrong tank factory in Scotswood Road, Newcastle.

BAE chairman Dick Olver said: “Ian 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.”