BAE Systems appoints Charles Woodburn as COO

Defence group BAE Systems said on Monday it has appointed Charles Woodburn to the newly-created role of chief operating officer, following press reports over the weekend that it was lining Woodburn up to be the next chief executive officer.

Woodburn will report to CEO Ian King, and will be appointed to the BAE Systems board as an executive director in the second quarter of this year.

For the last five years, Woodburn has been CEO of oilfield services business Expro, and is a non-executive director of Seadrill Limited. He also held a number of senior management positions in the Far East, Australia, France and the United States during a 15-year career at Schlumberger.

King said: "As a highly qualified engineer with considerable international business experience, Charles will strengthen and broaden the strategic and operational capabilities of the business as a welcome and valuable addition to the leadership team."

Chairman Sir Roger Carr said: "I am delighted that we have secured an individual of considerable talent and proven industrial experience as part of our succession planning programme. Charles will bring fresh perspective to the company's operations and board, whilst building a detailed knowledge of the defence industry under the guidance of Ian King."