Robert Brown has been appointed president and chief executive of Bombardier, taking over the roles from Laurent Beaudoin, who will continue as chairman. Brown is currently president of Bombardier Aerospace.
Beaudoin says Brown, who joined the Canadian company in 1987, has been promoted "-to ensure my succession at the helm of Bombardier in an orderly fashion." Brown will be succeeded as head of Bombardier Aerospace by Michael Graff, now president, Business Aircraft. The changes take effect on 1 February, 1999.
Bombardier says Beaudoin, who is 60, has made no plans to retire, "...but wanted to give some of the reins to someone else." He has held the additional role of president since 1996.
Brown will be responsible for all business groups except Bombardier Capital, the company's financing arm. Bombardier says the Capital unit will be run by executive vice-president Yvan Allaire for a transition period while Brown "gets to know" the business.
Brown's elevation highlights the increasing importance of aerospace to transportation company Bombardier. Aerospace, primarily business and regional aircraft, now accounts for the largest share of the Canadian company's revenues.
The move has been praised by analysts in Canada. There was little surprise that Pierre Beaudoin, the son of the Bombardier boss, was not given the job. In his late 30s, Beaudoin Jnr has yet to turn around the company's recreational division, which makes snowmobiles and watercraft. Brown, however, is known for his knowledge of government and his close relations with senior ministers in Ottawa.
Source: Flight International
