Charles Woodburn Explained

Charles Woodburn
Birth Name:Charles Nicholas Woodburn
Birth Date:11 March 1971
Birth Place:Windsor, Berkshire, England[1]
Alma Mater:St John's College, Cambridge
Erasmus University Rotterdam
Occupation:Businessman
CEO, BAE Systems
Term:July 2017-
Predecessor:Ian King

Charles Nicholas Woodburn (born 11 March 1971) is a British businessman who has been the CEO of BAE Systems since July 2017.

Education

Woodburn was born on 11 March 1971[2] and went to Dr Challoner's Grammar School in Amersham, England.[3] Woodburn received a bachelor's degree in electrical sciences from St John's College, Cambridge in 1992[4] and a PhD in engineering from Cambridge University, followed by an MBA from Erasmus University Rotterdam.[5]

Career

Woodburn served as the chief executive of Expro Group, which surveys and manages oil and gas wells around the world. He had also spent 15 years at Schlumberger, an oil services company, overseeing major projects in Thailand, Australia, and the US.

In 2016, Woodburn joined BAE Systems as its chief operating officer. On joining BAE Systems he was to be paid an annual base salary of £750,000. Additionally he was given more than £1.6m to compensate for incentive schemes at his previous company Expro. It was reported in December 2016 that he was paid a total joining package worth £3 million.[6] In 2021 Woodburn received a salary rise of 13% to bring his annual pay to £1.1 million.[7] He was also in line for an extra £2 million long-term share award payable if he stayed at BAE until the end of 2023.

Woodburn was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2024 New Year Honours for services to international trade and skills development.[8]

Personal life

Woodburn is married with two children and lives in Surrey. Woodburn is a keen cyclist, skier and car enthusiast.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Index entry. 2 October 2022. FreeBMD. ONS.
  2. Web site: Collingridge . John . 21 March 2021 . Interview: Charles Woodburn, the skipper trying to navigate BAE through stormy seas . The Sunday Times . 0956-1382 . 24 May 2024.
  3. News: Collingridge . John . 2023-12-18 . Interview: Charles Woodburn, the skipper trying to navigate BAE through stormy seas . en . 2023-12-18 . 0140-0460.
  4. News: Ruddick . Graham . Who is Charles Woodburn, the man set to take the helm at BAE Systems?. 15 February 2016. The Guardian. 27 April 2020. en-GB. 0261-3077.
  5. Web site: Executive Profile: Charles Woodburn . Bloomberg.com . 27 October 2017.
  6. News: BAE Systems boss sees pay package rise by 18% to £3.5m. Belfasttelegraph. www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
  7. News: 22 April 2021. BAE Systems faces mounting criticism over CEO's pay to stay. en. Reuters. 12 November 2021.
  8. Web site: Awards for New Year 2024 . www.gov.uk . 29 December 2023.
  9. Web site: Group Chief Executive Officer . 2024-02-23 . www.baesystems.com.