Dirk Hoke, future CEO of Airbus Defence and Space. Photo: Airbus Group

[Via Satellite 10-21-2015] Airbus Group has appointed a new CEO for its Defence and Space division to succeed Bernhard Gerwert, age 62, who intends to retire in mid-2016. The company selected Dirk Hoke, age 46, to lead as CEO of Airbus Defence and Space starting spring of next year.

Hoke was recently CEO of the large drives business unit at Siemens. He will join Airbus Group on Jan. 1, 2016 as deputy to Gerwert. Between January and March of next year, Hoke will familiarize himself with Airbus Group and the Defence and Space business in particular. During this time, Gerwert will continue to lead Airbus Defence and Space as CEO. Hoke will take over the operational lead and become CEO of Airbus Defence and Space on April 1, 2016, as well as a member of the Airbus Group executive committee. Gerwert will then support Hoke and Airbus Group CEO Tom Enders as a senior advisor until at least June 2016.