Charles Woodburn, a 20-year oil and gas industry veteran and former CEO of oilfield services company Expro, has joined BAE Systems as chief operating officer.
He will report directly to CEO Ian King and will also join BAE’s board as an executive director in the second quarter of 2016, the company said Monday.
Woodburn has led Expro over the past five years and previously spent 15 years in senior leadership roles at Schlumberger, a provider of technology, project management and information systems for the energy industry.
“I am delighted that we have secured an individual of considerable talent and proven industrial experience as part of our succession planning program, ” noted BAE Chairman Roger Carr.
Sky News’ Mark Kleinman reported Saturday the appointment potentially setsd Woodburn as the next in line to lead the British defense contractor.
King has run BAE since 2008 and will likely continue his leadership there for another two years before he retires from the company, the report said.
Shares in BAE rose 3.13 percent in London Monday and the company will announce its full-year results for 2015 Thursday.
