Career moves roundup: Leidos, BBA Aviation, and more

Mineral & Financial Investments appoints new COO

Mineral & Financial Investments has brought on board James Lesser as its new chief operating officer. Lesser had taken on the responsibilities of the role on 1 January 2018, following the resignation of Alastair Ford. Ford was the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of Mineral & Financial Investments.

Prior to Mineral & Financial Investments, Lesser had co-founded Chalkstone Partners, a political risk and community relations advisory firm. He had also held the post of director at HSBC Global Banking and Markets.

Surface Transforms appoints new financial director

Surface Transforms, a carbon ceramic brake discs manufacturer, has appointed Michael Cunningham as its new financial director. Cunningham will take on the responsibility of the role with immediate effect.

Cunningham joins Surface Transforms from Bentley Motors, where he was the profitability controller. He was also the senior finance manager (Mulliner) and was reporting to the company’s CFO. Prior to Bentley, Cunningham was also the finance director at Aquila Truck Centres Ltd; Commercial Director (initially Regional Financial Controller) of MAN Truck and Bus UK; and Financial Controller of Preston Group, a family-owned car dealership.

Speaking about Cunningham’s appointment, Kevin Johnson, CEO, said: “We are delighted to welcome Michael to this senior role in the Company. In particular the combination of his extensive automotive experience and strong strategic financial management will be most valuable as the Company moves onto the next stage of its development.”

BBA Aviation promotes Mark Johnstone to CEO

Mark Johnstone has been promoted to the role of permanent chief executive officer at BBA Aviation. Johnstone will replace current interim CEO, Wayne Edmunds, and will take on his role from 1 April 2018.

Johnstone had joined BBA in 2008 as corporate development director. Johnstone had also undertaken numerous roles within the business, including chief financial officer of its Signature Flight Support business, managing director of its former APPH business, and managing director of the Europe, Middle east and Africa Flight Support business.

Commenting on Johnstone’s appointment, Nigel Rudd, Chairman at BBA Aviation, said: “The board feels that he is the ideal candidate to lead the group forward. Mark’s strategic and operational experience in finance and in managing many of the group’s businesses over the last 10 years gives him a deep understanding of the company and the right skills to take on the role of group chief executive.”

Christopher Brown to step down as TomCo CEO

TomCo Energy’s CEO, Christopher Brown, has resigned and will be concentrating on his other business interest. The company has shared that Brown will remain on until the company decides to appoint a replacement.

Leidos appoints new UK CEO

Leidos, a science and IT company, has hired Matt Wiles as its new chief executive. Wiles, who currently holds the post of Senior Vice President and Managing Director, has played an instrumental role in the company’s delivery of the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) Logistic Commodities Services Transformation (LCST) programme and the opening of a state-of-the-art military logistics hub, the Defence Fulfilment Centre at MoD Donnington.

Wiles, who had previously served as the Air Vice-Marshal in the Royal Air Force (RAF), was awarded a CBE in 2008 and a CB in 2013. Prior to the RAF, Wiles had held the post of Partnership Director for the Atomic Weapons Establishment and as Managing Director Defence at Serco.

Comments are closed.