Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Serco appoints Anthony Kirby as Group Chief Executive

Defence Security Space

Serco appoints Anthony Kirby as Group Chief Executive

Serco today announced the retirement of Mark Irwin and the appointment of Anthony Kirby as Group Chief Executive designate.


 
Above: Anthony Kirby is currently CEO of UK & Europe and will become Group Chief Executive at the beginning of March this year.
Courtesy Serco

After 12 years with Serco, Mark Irwin has advised the Board of his intention to retire as Group Chief Executive. Mark will step down from his role on 28th February 2025 and will continue to serve as a strategic adviser through a transition period.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle

Anthony Kirby, currently CEO of UK & Europe, the Group’s largest division, will succeed Mark as Group Chief Executive from 1st March 2025.

Mark Irwin said: “It has been a true privilege to lead Serco and I am delighted with the progress we have made in the last few years, especially on keeping our colleagues safer, delivering consistently strong financial performance and developing the biggest pipeline in more than a decade to meet our strategic growth goals. I know that Anthony will continue to build on these solid foundations. I am eternally grateful to all my colleagues across the Group for their hard work and commitment in delivering these outcomes as we worked together to deliver on our purpose to impact a better future for people, place and planet.”

Anthony Kirby said: “It is an honour to be selected to lead this amazing company, of which I have been a part for seven years. Serco is in good shape, with great people and an exciting future. I am confident we can continue to build on our strategy, strengthen our position further and provide outstanding solutions, helping customers around the world deliver superb public services. I want to thank Mark for his leadership and offer him my best wishes for the future.”

Advertisement
ODU RT

John Rishton, Chair of Serco, said: “I would like to thank Mark for his commitment, dedication and hard work over the last 12 years and, in particular, during his time as Group Chief Executive and wish him well in his future.

I am delighted that Anthony is taking on the role of Group Chief Executive. Since we attracted Anthony from Compass Group, he has been part of our internal succession planning. During this time he has held a number of critical roles at Serco, including being Group Chief Operating Officer and successfully leading the UK & Europe business. The Board is confident that Anthony has the skills, determination and leadership attributes to deliver against our strategy.”

Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner
Serco to support British Army’s marine assets fleet

Defence

Serco to support British Army’s marine assets fleet

25 March 2026

Serco has been awarded a seven-year contract to provide in-service support for the British Army’s fleet of 512 marine vessels.

Rowden hosts British Army to explore operational tech delivery

Defence Events

Rowden hosts British Army to explore operational tech delivery

25 March 2026

British engineering firm Rowden hosted a visit by British Army Sergeant Majors to explore how collaboration between engineers and soldiers helps shape and deliver operational technology.

BAE Systems to quadruple THAAD production

Defence

BAE Systems to quadruple THAAD production

25 March 2026

BAE Systems has signed a landmark seven-year framework agreement with the US Department of War (DoW) to quadruple production capacity and accelerate delivery of the infrared seeker for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor missile in support of Lockheed Martin Corporation.

GA-ASI’s UK and Japan MQ-9B Programs recognised

Defence

GA-ASI’s UK and Japan MQ-9B Programs recognised

25 March 2026

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) won two awards during Aviation Week’s 21st annual Program Excellence Awards last week, with its United Kingdom (UK) Protector Program given the Special Projects Award, whilst its Japan COCO (Company-Owned, Company-Operated) Program won in the category of OEM System Sustainment.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle
UK Defence Diplomacy Strategy launched

Defence

UK Defence Diplomacy Strategy launched

24 March 2026

UK military personnel will be put through their paces as part of a new diplomacy training programme, upskilling specialists in negotiation and languages as part of the UK's first Defence Diplomacy Strategy launched today. 

DroneShield and OpenWorks Engineering expand C2 interoperability

Defence Security

DroneShield and OpenWorks Engineering expand C2 interoperability

24 March 2026

Counter-unmanned systems (C-UxS) solutions provider, DroneShield, today announced interoperability between DroneSentry-C2 command-and-control software and optical sensing technologies from OpenWorks Engineering.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner