Former BAE Systems chief executive Mike Turner CBE has been appointed as a non-executive director for Redditch manufacturer GKN.
Mr Turner, aged 60, who retired from defence firm BAE in 2008 after 40 years service, will take up his new role from September 1.
Since retiring from BAE he has also been appointed non-executive chairman of Babcock International Group and non-executive director of Lazard.
He is also chairman of the Defence Industries Council, a group of defence industrialists which represents the interests of the UK defence industry, and a member of the Government’s Apprenticeship Ambassadors Network.
Roy Brown, chairman of GKN plc, said: “I am delighted to welcome Mike Turner to the board.
“His extensive experience of the aerospace industry will enable him to provide a significant contribution to the development of GKN’s Aerospace business and his wide boardroom experience will be an asset to the company.”
Mr Turner has an honours degree from Manchester Polytechnic and has received honorary degrees from Manchester Metropolitan University, Cranfield University and Loughborough University in recognition of his contribution to the development of the aerospace industry.
He was awarded the CBE for services to the aerospace industry in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 1999.
The Birmingham Post revealed last week that GKN had raised £423 million after 95 per cent of a share issue was snapped up by investors.
The firm has seen its debts mushroom to £928 million since the beginning of 2008 with the decline in sterling and the acquisition of a wing component business on the Airbus site in Filton.
