TRANSPORT and defence group Petards has appointed a new managing director at its Petards Joyce-Loebl business.

Tom Burwood will take up the post after Bill Conn stepped down from it and his joint role as group chief executive to become a non-executive director of Petards as of January 1.

Burwood’s background is in electrical and electronic engineering and he joins Gateshead-based Petards from Cobham plc, where he was business development director.

Petards chairman Tim Wightman said: “We are delighted to have been able to have recruited someone of Tom’s calibre and experience.

“His experience in profitably growing technology businesses in both UK and international markets will be invaluable in the next stage of the group’s development.”

In October, Petards won a £2.5m Ministry of Defence contract to supply equipment to help protect military helicopters from being hit by guided missiles.