BAE Systems named Mark Simpkins as its new general manager and in-country director in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Simpkins, who will be based in the company's recently announced office in Manama, will be responsible for all BAE Systems' issues relating to Bahrain. He will report directly to BAE Systems' executive vice president (Middle East), Mike Gavin
Until recently Simpkins worked for AMS, an equal shares joint venture between BAE Systems and Finmeccanica of Italy. AMS is a major force in European defense and electronics with a turnover of over $1.2 billion a year.
"Mark's appointment is a first for BAE Systems and further underlines our commitment to the Kingdom of Bahrain and to supporting our projects there, including the development of an indigenous Flying Training School for the Bahrain Defense Force," said Simon Keith, BAE Systems' managing director, Middle East.
Simpkins appointment comes just two weeks after BAE Systems announced it was opening its first office in Bahrain. The office is expected to be fully operational within the next few months.
BAE Systems' contract with the Bahrain Defense Force to establish an indigenous Flying Training School in the Kingdom forms the final part of a multi-phase approach to flying training, comprising pilot selection, basic flying instruction in Slingsby Firefly aircraft and synthetics and simulator training, ultimately leading to Hawk Jet advanced flying training.
The contract is constituted under a Government-to-Government Memorandum of Understanding, which underpins the close relationship between the two Kingdoms and particularly between the Royal Bahrain Air Force (RBAF) and Britain's Royal Air Force (RAF). It also validates the leading position the Hawk aircraft has, in Arab markets, for advanced jet trainers. – (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
