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
ODU RT

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
Gulfstream banner
Ramboll appoints Darren Carlile as Director in Buildings

Defence Security

Ramboll appoints Darren Carlile as Director in Buildings

22 April 2026

Global architecture, engineering and sustainability consultancy, Ramboll, has appointed Darren Carlile as a Director in its Buildings business, with responsibility for growth and sales across Transformation and Public Services leading on the National Security and Government, Research and Polar sectors, supporting continued Government ...

Rolls-Royce MT30 to power Australia’s Mogami-class frigates

Defence

Rolls-Royce MT30 to power Australia’s Mogami-class frigates

22 April 2026

The Rolls-Royce MT30 marine gas turbine has been selected to power Australia’s new upgraded naval fleet of Mogami-class general-purpose frigates.

Tiberius Aerospace achieves world-first with howitzer launched liquid-fuelled ramjet

Defence

Tiberius Aerospace achieves world-first with howitzer launched liquid-fuelled ramjet

22 April 2026

Tiberius Aerospace has successfully demonstrated, for the first time, that a liquid-fuelled ramjet projectile can be launched from a NATO standard 155mm howitzer, achieve ramjet ignition and perform as intended in flight.

Babcock returns HMS Queen Elizabeth to operational readiness

Defence

Babcock returns HMS Queen Elizabeth to operational readiness

22 April 2026

Babcock International Group has returned the Royal Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, to operational readiness following completion of a planned maintenance programme at Rosyth.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Roke introduces CORTEXA GUARDIAN

Defence Events

Roke introduces CORTEXA GUARDIAN

21 April 2026

Roke has introduced its new, advanced Counter UAS (C-UAS), CORTEXA GUARDIAN to the market, following the system's development with armed forces and mission partners across the UK and Northern Europe.

Anotec achieves AS9100 certification

Aerospace Defence

Anotec achieves AS9100 certification

20 April 2026

Surface coating specialist Anotec has enhanced its position in the aerospace and defence sectors by achieving the AS9100 certification.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
Gulfstream banner