Sir Michael Arthur Named As His Successor

Boeing has announced that Sir Roger Bone, president of Boeing U.K. and Ireland, will retire at the end of September with Sir Michael Arthur to assume the post from October 1.

“The United Kingdom and Ireland are strategically important partners for Boeing, and Sir Roger has represented the company with great skill during a period of significant growth, change and transformation,” said Shep Hill, president of Boeing International and senior vice president, Business Development and Strategy. “Boeing has strengthened its business in the U.K. and grown its locally hired employee base almost fourfold in that time, and I know that our partners, customers, employees and subsidiaries have appreciated the outstanding leadership that Sir Roger provided throughout his nine years with the company.”

Arthur will work to expand further Boeing’s local presence and pursue new growth opportunities as the senior Boeing representative in the U.K. and Ireland. He will join the company on Sept. 1 after three decades of international service with the British government and three years as a member of a UK-based business consultancy.

“Sir Michael brings to this role immense experience in international government affairs from his time in the Diplomatic Service as well as valuable experience with the private and not-for-profit sectors,” said Hill. “He will continue to build our presence and collaboration with our partners, customers, employees and communities across the U.K.”

Arthur was British ambassador to Germany from 2007 to 2010 and High Commissioner to India from 2003 to 2007. Beginning in 2001, he was a Member of the Foreign Office Main Board, providing organizational leadership in implementing ministerial policies. While serving abroad, he was a member of the Senior Leadership Forum, the wider board involving senior ambassadors. He worked closely with various multinational companies, and since leaving government service he has acquired experience with business consultancy and also as a non-executive director in the financial services sector.

Bone came to Boeing in September 2005 after a 38-year career in the British Diplomatic Service, serving as ambassador to Brazil from 1999 to 2004 and to Sweden from 1995 to 1999.

Working with Boeing’s business units, Bone helped expand the company’s employee base from fewer than 500 to around 1,700 today. Boeing’s footprint expanded to more than 20 sites across the U.K. and Ireland during that time.  During this period, Boeing in the U.K. signed contracts for the sale of almost every type of Boeing commercial airplane, Chinook helicopters and C-17 transport aircraft, together with significant services and support contracts for both commercial and military customers.

Bone has been one of the U.K. Prime Minister’s Honorary Ambassadors for British Business since 2010. He is a non-executive director of F&C Investment Trust plc and of ITM Power plc and a non-executive director of the National Centre for Universities and Business.

(Images provided by Boeing, Top: Sir Roger Bone. Bottom: Sir Michael Arthur)

FMI: www.boeing.co.uk