Mike Turner, CBE is Chief Executive Officer of the aerospace and defence company BAE SYSTEMS. He received a CBE for services to the Aerospace Industry in the Queen's 1999 Birthday Honours.
Turner replaced the previous CEO, John Weston, in March 2002 who was dismissed. Turner has previously been a Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the company, responsible for all of the company's businees units. In a press release announcing Turner's appointment he was described thus:
- Mike Turner has a wide experience of all aspects of our business and has been a major contributor to the strategic development of the company.
Both Turner and BAE's previous Chairman, Sir Richard Evans , have had an abrasive relationship with senior Ministry of Defence officials and the Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon. The relationship has deteriorated over cost over-runs and delays to major procurement projects, for example:
- Royal Navy Future Carriers (CVF)
BAE was chosen as prime contractor but Thales UK won the design contract and a major role in the project. BAE strongly protested the inclusion of Kellog Brown & Root as "physical integrator".
- Eurofighter Typhoon
The UK refused to approve Tranche 2 until the offensive air-to-ground capabilites of the fighter were increased earlier. This negotiating tactic was aimed at its European partners as much as BAE.
- 2002 profit warning
BAE announced a shock profit warning in December 2002 related to two major projects, the Astute class submarine and the Nimrod MRA4. BAE took a $1.369Bn hit against these projects.
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