Dr. Charles Woodburn, CBE
Group Chief Executive Officer
Charles is Group Chief Executive Officer of BAE Systems plc. He joined BAE Systems in May 2016 as Chief Operating Officer and became Chief Executive on 1 July 2017. He is an experienced business leader with more than 28 years’ experience in the defence and aerospace, and oil and gas industries. Prior to joining the Company in 2016, he was Chief Executive Officer of Expro Group, before which he spent 15 years with Schlumberger Limited holding a number of senior management positions in Asia, Australia, Europe and the US. Charles is a trustee and Chair of the charity Movement to Work. He is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. Charles was awarded a CBE in 2023 for services to international trade and skills.
Tom Arseneault
President & Chief Executive Officer of BAE Systems, Inc.
Tom Arseneault is president and CEO of BAE Systems, Inc., the company’s US-based, international defence, aerospace and security company with nearly 41,500 employees and major operations in the US, UK and Sweden. Ranking among the top 10 prime contractors to the US Department of War, the company delivers a full range of products and services across a broad and diverse portfolio for air, land, space and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, commercial avionics, security, IT solutions and support services. Arseneault is also an executive director on the BAE Systems plc Board of Directors, a member of the Company’s Executive Committee and an officer director on the BAE Systems, Inc. Board of Directors. Throughout his career, Arseneault has led complex organisations responsible for fulfilling critical and technologically challenging missions.
Previously, he served as president and COO for the organisation, which followed his role as president of the company’s Electronic Systems sector, responsible for operations spanning the commercial and defence electronics markets and its extensive portfolio of mission critical electronic systems. He also served as executive vice president of BAE Systems’ product sectors, responsible for articulating and executing a vision that drove optimal business performance across the Electronic Systems and legacy Land & Armaments businesses.
Prior to his senior leadership appointments, Arseneault managed various organisations and programmes for Sanders, a Lockheed Martin company, and he remained with the unit when it was acquired by BAE Systems in 2000. Earlier in his career, he held a variety of engineering and programme management positions with General Electric and TASC. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and an MBA from Boston University. Tom loves history, being outdoors and spending time with his family.
Simon Barnes
Group Managing Director, Air
Simon Barnes is the Group Managing Director, Air for BAE Systems plc. Simon joined BAE Systems in 2001 and has held a number of senior programme leadership and business development roles throughout a 26-year career in the defence industry, spanning the UK, Europe and the Middle East. Most recently, Simon was the Managing Director of BAE Systems Saudi Arabia. Simon is Chairman of MBDA Missile Systems, Europe’s largest manufacturer of guided weapons. Simon began his career as an engineering apprentice. He holds an MSc in Financial Management and an MBA from the University of Manchester. He is an alumni of Harvard Business School’s Advance Management Programme, a Chartered Project Manager and a Fellow of both the CMI and Royal Aeronautical Society. Simon is married to Julia and outside of work loves travel and is an avid Formula 1 fan.
Gabby Costigan, MBE
Group Managing Director, Business Development
Gabby Costigan is Group Managing Director, Business Development for BAE Systems plc. Gabby joined the Company as Chief Executive Officer-designate of BAE Systems Australia in October 2017 and became Chief Executive Officer in January 2018. Prior to joining BAE Systems she was the Chief Executive Officer for Linfox International Group. Gabby is an Aeronautical Engineer and spent 21 years in the Australian Army, eventually retiring as a Colonel after a distinguished career that included operational experience commanding logistic operations for both Australian and US deployed military forces. Gabby participates in several Committees supporting CSIRO, Adelaide University, UNSW; is a member of the Australian Business Advisory Council; is Chair of the Council for Women and Families United by Defence Service; a Board member for the Princes Trust Veterans Council; and in 2024 was appointed as a non-executive director of Balfour Beatty’s infrastructure group. Gabby has been honoured for her military service by the Australian and US Governments and NATO and was awarded a Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to UK/Australia relations in 2019. She is married and has two children.
Julian Cracknell
Chief Technology & Information Officer
Julian Cracknell is Chief Technology & Information Officer for BAE Systems plc. Previously, Julian held a number of senior roles in the Company’s cyber security business including the position of Managing Director, Applied Intelligence. Julian joined BAE Systems in July 2012. Prior to joining BAE Systems, Julian worked at Logica in a number of roles including Director of National Security and Business Unit Manager for Defence Systems. Julian has a First Class Honours Degree in Computer Science from the University of Dundee and is a trustee of Basingstoke Counselling Service, a mental health charity that provides affordable counselling, training and CPD. When not at work Julian enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, reading and keeping fit.
Tania Gandamihardja
Group Human Resources Director
Tania Gandamihardja is Group Human Resources Director for BAE Systems plc. Tania was previously HR Director for Total Talent having joined the Company in September 2021. Previously, Tania spent more than 20 years in the energy sector with Schlumberger where she held a number of HR leadership roles in Europe, Asia and the United States. Tania holds a degree in Chemistry with Management Science. When not at work, Tania enjoys discovering new places with her family, staying active, reading and theatre.
Group General Counsel
Ed Gelsthorpe is Group General Counsel of BAE Systems plc. Prior to this role, Ed held a number of senior legal leadership roles within BAE Systems, including in M&A, employment and other corporate matters, and from 2013-2022 as Chief Counsel UK. Ed began his career in private practice in London, subsequently joining Marconi as an IP specialist. Ed graduated in law from Cambridge University, with further study at Grenoble University, and is qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales. Ed is married with two children and outside of work enjoys art, music and long distance walking.
Chief Financial Officer
Brad Greve is the Chief Financial Officer of BAE Systems plc. He joined BAE Systems in 2019 as Group Finance Director Designate and joined the Board on 1 April 2020. He is a highly experienced executive with deep financial and operational management experience, gained during a career in excess of 30 years in international engineering and technology businesses. Prior to joining the Company, he held a number of senior executive roles in Schlumberger, undertaking roles in Europe, Africa, South America and the US.
Caitlin Hayden
Group Communications Director
Caitlin Hayden is Group Communications Director for BAE Systems plc. Caitlin was previously the Senior Vice President of Communications for BAE Systems Inc, overseeing communications activity for the Group’s US business. Prior to joining BAE Systems in 2019, Caitlin had senior roles at the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) and Edelman. Caitlin previously spent 15 years in US federal government, including as a Special Assistant to President Barack Obama, Senior Director for Strategic Communications and Press, and spokesperson for the National Security Council. She also served in various communications and policy assignments for the U.S. Department of State. Caitlin holds a bachelor's degree in public relations from the University of Alabama and a master’s degree in mass communications from the University of Georgia. She also sits on the Steering Committee for the Leadership Council for Women in National Security and serves as a Trustee for the Army Benevolent Fund. Outside of work, she is married with a daughter and enjoys travel, catching up with friends and watching crime dramas.
Karin Hoeing
Group ESG, Culture & Business Transformation Director
Karin Hoeing is Group ESG, Culture & Business Transformation Director for BAE Systems plc. Karin joined the Company in February 2018 as Group Human Resources Director. In 2019, her job expanded to include Safety, Health and Environment as well as the Shared Services organisation. Karin joined BAE Systems from Schlumberger where she was President, Wireline. Prior to this Karin held a number of senior line management, HR, marketing, technology and leadership positions across Europe, the Middle East and Asia, during a career spanning more than 20 years. She holds a MSc in Geophysics from the University of Hamburg, Germany. Karin is a non-executive director of Smiths Group plc since April 2020. When not at work, Karin enjoys spending time with her family, sports and travelling.
Glynn Phillips
Group Managing Director Maritime and Land
Glynn Phillips is Group Managing Director Maritime and Land for BAE Systems plc. Previously, Glynn was Chief Executive Officer of BAE Systems Australia. Glynn’s 30-year career in BAE Systems has encompassed multiple senior finance leadership roles throughout the UK, including Finance Director for the Hawk business, International Military Aircraft business, Integrated Systems, Naval Ships and latterly for the UK Maritime sector. Glynn also spent more than three years as Group Financial Controller for BAE Systems. Glynn is married with two daughters and is a proud grandfather. Outside of work he enjoys coastal walks and sports of all kind.
Andrea Thompson
Group Managing Director, Digital Intelligence
Andrea was born and spent her early years in Sunderland, UK, relocating to the US just prior to secondary school. Andrea graduated from Michigan State University with an accounting degree and has a dual major MBA in Finance and Operations Management. Andrea’s career has spanned the US and UK, with positions at Rockwell International Illinois, PACCAR Inc based in Seattle, Leyland Trucks and Rolls Royce. Andrea joined BAE Systems in June 2016 as Senior Vice President F-35. In January 2019, Andrea was promoted to run the Europe & International line of business which is responsible for the design, manufacture and support of Eurofighter Typhoon across the UK, Europe, Oman and Qatar, and support to UK and international Hawk operations. Andrea was also the Chair of the Eurofighter Supervisory Board, which is the governing body for the Eurofighter GmbH consortium. In 2019, Andrea was named in the UK Top 100 Most Influential Women in the Engineering Sector. In 2023, Andrea was appointed Group Managing Director, Digital Intelligence and to the Executive Committee of BAE Systems plc. Andrea enjoys travelling, photography and all things outdoors.