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Weapons maker BAE Systems today lost the head of its biggest division after he quit to join a government contractor in the US.
Walt Havenstein stood down as president and chief executive of BAE Systems Inc, the firm's US subsidiary, which last year accounted for 58% of its £18.5 billion of revenues.
The former marine, who topped up his £486,000 salary with a bonus of £1 million last year, is joining Science Applications International Corp, or SAIC, as chief executive.
Havenstein spent 10 years at BAE including the last two as the head of the American division, which supplies the US military with armoured vehicles and intelligence systems.
BAE Systems Inc board member General Tony Zinni, another former marine and Vietnam War veteran, was appointed chairman and acting president and chief executive.
The US arm has been a major growth area for BAE in recent years as the American military found itself embarking on wars and peace keeping missions around the world.
BAE is the US government's fifth-biggest military supplier and the firm will be keen to find a permanent replacement for such a high profile job as soon as possible.
BAE chairman Dick Olver said: "Walt has been a valued member of the board and the executive team."
