Babcock International Group has announced a series of executive leadership changes, including the formal confirmation of a successor to chief executive David Lockwood, the company stated.
Harry Holt has stepped fully into the role of Deputy CEO and is set to succeed Lockwood when he retires later this year. Holt will work alongside Lockwood during the transition period.
In a separate move, Neal Misell, who previously led Babcock’s Mission Systems business, has been appointed Chief Executive of the company’s Nuclear business. Babcock described Misell as bringing “a wealth of experience having led multiple parts of the Babcock Group both in the UK and internationally.”
Louise Atkinson, formerly the company’s Chief People Officer, takes over from Misell as Chief Executive of Mission Systems. Atkinson has spent more than thirteen years in senior leadership roles across Babcock’s procurement, supply chain, training and defence equipment functions within the Group’s Land business.
With Atkinson moving into her new position, Jen McElhinney has been appointed Interim Chief People Officer. McElhinney previously served as People Director for corporate functions, Chief of Staff to the Chief HR Officer, and People Director for Aviation.
Babcock said the changes “reflect the strength and depth of our senior team and our focus on continuing to build a sustainable, successful future.”
Babcock continues an ongoing transformation of its business, with its Nuclear sector identified by the company as an area of growth.
Interesting that they are promoting people from within the business. Suggests a degree on continuity which is reassuring given that the business seems to be pretty successful and on an encouraging trajectory for stability and growth.
Last thing we need is a get rich quick merchant driving rapid and unsustainable dividend growth and destablising the business a la Boeing..! It’s bad enough the MoD seems to be struggling to get it’s plans straight (not withstand HMT’s likely role) without one of our key defence primes being run into the ground for the sake of a quick buck. So boringly steady gets my vote every time.
Cheers CR