GKN Aerospace is looking for a new chief executive after the sudden resignation of incumbent Hans Buthker.
A company email seen by FlightGlobal, dated 28 September, says that Buthker has decided to step down from the role.
He will be replaced on an interim basis by Peter Dilnot, chief operating officer of parent company Melrose Industries, it says, while a permanent successor is sought.
“As we now reposition the business to emerge strongly from the global Covid-19 pandemic, Hans has decided that this is the right time for him to step aside and start the next phase of his career outside of GKN Aerospace,” says the email.
Industry sources confirm Buthker’s departure, describing it as a part of a “long-term transition plan”.
GKN Aerospace declines to comment.
Buthker joined GKN with the 2015 acquisition of Fokker Technologies where he was chief executive; he has been in charge of the aerospace business since 2017.
GKN was acquired by Melrose Industries in 2018 and is currently cutting “significant” numbers of jobs across the business to cope with the coronavirus-triggered downturn in civil aerospace.
