BAE Systems appoints new Bahrain Director

Simpkins, who will be based in the company's recently announced office in Manama, will be responsible for all BAE SYSTEMS' issues relating to Bahrain. He will report directly to BAE SYSTEMS' Executive Vice President - Middle East, Mike Gavin

Until recently Simpkins worked for AMS, an equal shares joint venture between BAE SYSTEMS and Finmeccanica of Italy. AMS is a major force in European defence and electronics with a turnover of over $1.2 billion a year.

'Mark's appointment is a first for BAE SYSTEMS and further underlines our commitment to the Kingdom of Bahrain and to supporting our projects there, including the development of an indigenous Flying Training School for the Bahrain Defence Force,' said Simon Keith, BAE SYSTEMS' Managing Director, Middle East.

Before joining BAE SYSTEMS' Middle East team Simpkins had worked predominantly in the defence sector, within Britain's New Business Export Arena.

He originally joined British Aerospace Dynamics Group in 1980 as an electronics engineer and then moved to British Aerospace Space and Communications Group in 1984. He has spent extended periods overseas, managing departments in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, South America and the USA.

'I will work closely with our partners in the Bahrain Defence Force to facilitate the smooth implementation of the contract for the supply of Hawk Advanced Jet Training aircraft and the provision of a complete indigenous flying school in the Kingdom,' said Simpkins.

'I will also explore opportunities for additional partnerships to help strengthen Bahrain's development and ensure its future safety and prosperity.'

Simpkins appointment comes just two weeks after BAE SYSTEMS announced it was opening its first office in Bahrain. The office is expected to be fully operational within the next few months.

BAE SYSTEMS' contract with the Bahrain Defence Force, to establish an indigenous Flying Training School in the Kingdom, forms the final part of a multi-phase approach to flying training, comprising pilot selection, basic flying instruction in Slingsby Firefly aircraft and synthetics and simulator training, ultimately leading to Hawk Jet advanced flying training.

The contract is constituted under a Government-to-Government Memorandum of Understanding, which underpins the close relationship between the two Kingdoms and particularly between the Royal Bahrain Air Force (RBAF) and Britain's Royal Air Force (RAF). It also validates the leading position the Hawk aircraft has, in Arab markets, for advanced jet trainers.