Italian firm Leonardo merges 3 divisions, names Brit to head them

By: Tom Kington

ROME — Italy's Leonardo has announced a major shakeup of its management structure, which will see three of its seven divisions merged and entrusted to one of the firm's top British managers, Norman Bone.

Reporting to CEO Alessandro Profumo, Bone will oversee a new Electronics Division, into which its Land & Naval Defence Electronics, Airborne & Space Systems, and Defence Systems divisions will be merged.

Bone was previously the head of the Airborne & Space Systems division as well as chairman and managing director of Leonardo's U.K. operation.

The Defense Systems division includes Leonardo's torpedo business, formerly known as WASS, and its cannon business, formerly known as Oto Melara.

In a statement, Leonardo said the merging of the divisions was designed to “achieve suitable critical mass” in its electronics-related businesses.

“This evolution will result in the organizational model being aligned with that of the main players in the market, ensuring an even more integrated development,” the firm said.

Additionally, the firm's Air Traffic Control and Automation Systems businesses will be moved from the firm's Security & Information Systems Division to the new Electronics Division.

The remainder of the Security & Information Systems division has been renamed the Cyber Security Division, and will be taken over on Jan. 21 by Barbara Poggiali, the firm said.

Leonardo's three other divisions are Helicopters, Aircraft and Aerostructures.

The shakeup is the latest stage in the consolidation of Leonardo's activities, which formerly existed as separate companies including AgustaWestland and Alenia. They were first transformed into divisions of the firm in 2016 as the company changed its name to Leonardo from Finmeccanica.

https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2018/12/14/italian-firm-leonardo-merges-3-divisions-names-brit-to-head-them