Former GKN CEO becomes new NED at Rolls-Royce

THE former chief executive of Worcestershire-based engineering group GKN has been announced as a new Non-Executive Director of Rolls-Royce.

Sir Kevin Smith will join the board with effect from November 1, 2015 and will also become a member of the Nominations and Governance Committee, the Remuneration Committee and the Science & Technology Committee.

Sir Kevin joins the manufacturing giant from Unitas Capital, a leading Asian private equity firm, where he has been a full-time partner based in Hong Kong since joining the firm in February 2012. He has used his extensive industrial leadership experience to work closely with Unitas’ portfolio companies, including being a director of technology company Edwards Group Ltd (previously NASDAQ listed) from March 2012 until its sale to Atlas Copco in August 2013.

Sir Kevin served for nine years until December 31, 2011 as CEO of Redditch-based GKN, having previously led GKN’s Aerospace division from 1999 to 2003. Before joining GKN, he spent nearly 20 years with British Aerospace, predominantly in its Military Aircraft and Defence businesses before becoming Group Managing Director of BAE’s New Business division. Sir Kevin also served as a NED of Scottish and Southern Energy between June 2004 and July 2008.

He was knighted in 2006 for services to industry, holds an honorary doctorate from Cranfield University and is a Fellow of the University of Central Lancashire, The Royal Aeronautical Society and The Chartered Institute of Management.

Ian Davis, chairman of Rolls-Royce, said: “Sir Kevin is a great fit for our board. He has a deep knowledge of global engineering and manufacturing businesses, as well as the aerospace industry. His private equity experience in operations intensive businesses with Unitas will also be extremely valuable.”

Sir Kevin added: “Rolls Royce is admired the world over and represents the pinnacle of British engineering. I am delighted to join the board and excited by the opportunity for the company to deliver a really exciting future from today’s outstanding market positions.”