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Babcock International Group has appointed Paul Armstrong to lead its Marine sector, delivering a number of critical UK and international defence programmes including the Type 31 frigates for the Royal Navy, the company announced on 4 December 2023.

Armstrong’s career started in shipbuilding in Barrow-in-Furness. Joining Babcock from defence aviation business Draken International, where he was CEO responsible for operations in the UK, US and overseas territories. He holds an MA in Corporate Governance and Commercial Law and Chartered Status with the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (now the Chartered Governance Institute).

Welcoming Armstrong to his new role, Babcock International CEO David Lockwood was quoted by the company as saying, “Now more than ever, what we do at Babcock matters, and I am delighted that Paul will lead our Marine business into its next era. Paul’s experience and first-class track record of successfully delivering programmes and transformation in the aerospace and defence industries, along with a deep understanding of the markets we support, comes at a time when defence and security has never been more important to our customers and the communities we jointly serve.”

Armstrong himself was quoted as saying, “It is a really important time to be joining Babcock and leading our Marine team. There are many global challenges and the programmes we are delivering are both nationally and internationally critical to creating a safe and secure environment for many communities across the globe.

“From designing and building the Type 31 frigates in the UK, and missile assemblies for the UK and US future submarine programmes, to supporting the UK’s Royal Navy Type 23 and amphibious fleets, international platforms, and commercial marine vessels, the work our teams do is hugely impressive and I’m very much looking forward to strengthening and growing this business together.”

Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 frigate design is the basis for the Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigate programme. (Image: Babcock)