Babcock International Group PLC (LON:BAB) has named a former executive at Royal Dutch Shell PLC (LON:RDSA), Ruth Cairnie to succeed chairman Mike Turner as the engineering and defence services provider’s non-executive chairman.
The FTSE 250-listed group said Cairnie will assume the role on Turner's retirement at the annual general meeting on July 18.
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Former BAE Systems PLC (LON:BA.) CEO Turner announced in January that he would retire from his post at Babcock after 11 years in the role amid warnings from the company that its income from nuclear decommissioning would fall sharply.
The group pointed out that Cairnie has extensive experience of the engineering sector gained from a 37-year international career spanning senior functional and line roles at Royal Dutch Shell plc, including Executive Vice President for Group Strategy & Planning.
It said she is currently the senior independent director of Associated British Foods plc and a non-executive director of Rolls Royce Holdings PLC and ContourGlobal PLC.
Welcoming Cairnie’s appointment, outgoing chairman Turner said: “She is a strategic thinker and strong leader, and we look forward to her bringing her in-depth experience, gained from a broad range of executive and non-executive roles at leading industrial companies, both in the UK and internationally, to benefit Babcock."
In early morning trading, Babcock shares were 1.8% higher at 512.80p.