Michael Turner (businessman)

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Mike Turner

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 capabilities 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 £750 million ($1.369Bn) hit against these projects.

On 18th July 2006 The current Defence Secretary Des Browne announced at the Farnborough Air Show that 12 new Nimrod MRA4s are to be built at the BAE site in Woodford, Cheshire, securing several hundred jobs. Mike Turner said "The new MRA4 is a world leader in terms of maritime patrol platforms and will give the UK at least 30 years of adaptable capability in maritime reconnaissance and attack operations". He added "The aircraft has the potential to fulfil a number of important strategic roles for the RAF."