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
Security & Policing Rectangle

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
General Atomics LB
ODU Connectors showcasing AMC solutions at SDSC-UK

Aerospace Defence Security Space Events

ODU Connectors showcasing AMC solutions at SDSC-UK

13 January 2026

ODU Connectors will be displaying all of their current AMC (Advanced Military Connectors) at the Specialist Defence and Security Convention-UK (SDSC-UK), taking place 3rd-5th February at the NEC Birmingham, which will include a couple of new items aimed specifically at rugged, embedded systems in the military and aerospace market.

Rolls-Royce expands partnership with Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service

Defence Security

Rolls-Royce expands partnership with Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service

13 January 2026

Rolls-Royce Submarines has donated £60,000 of specialist equipment as part of a wider partnership with Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS), which includes a new joint training programme to bolster existing emergency arrangements around its Derby site.

StirlingX and 2F partner on drone deployments

Aerospace Defence Security

StirlingX and 2F partner on drone deployments

13 January 2026

Second Front Systems (2F) today announced its partnership with StirlingX, aimed at enabling the UK's Ministry of Defence (MoD), national security community and critical national infrastructure (CNI) operators, to rapidly adopt sovereign, high-assurance drone capabilities through a secure software deployment pathway.

UK to develop deep strike ballistic missile for Ukraine

Defence

UK to develop deep strike ballistic missile for Ukraine

13 January 2026

The UK will develop new tactical ballistic missiles that boost Ukraine’s firepower to defend itself from Putin’s war machine.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Serco secures RAN synthetic warfare training contract

Defence

Serco secures RAN synthetic warfare training contract

12 January 2026

Serco is expanding its contract to deliver maritime warfare training services to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) at HMAS Watson, Sydney and HMAS Stirling, WA - Australia’s Naval warfare training establishments.

UK allocates £200m for MNFU deployment preparation

Defence

UK allocates £200m for MNFU deployment preparation

12 January 2026

The Government has allocated £200 million of funding to prepare the UK Armed Forces to deploy as part of the Multinational Force for Ukraine (MNFU), announced by Defence Secretary John Healey during a visit to Ukraine.

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle
Advertisement
Babcock LB Babcock LB