BAE Systems appoints new head of Middle East business

Based in the company’s regional hub in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Ben Bridge has been named as the successor to Simon Keith and now has overall responsibility for BAE Systems’ activities throughout the Gulf region and Africa where the company said he will play an important role in developing BAE Systems’ strategic vision for the region and continue to strengthen relationships with BAE Systems’ customers and partners in the region, especially in the UAE and Oman.

Bridge was previously vice president Middle East and before that was the international business development director at Detica, BAE Systems’ security business. Prior to that he was regional vice president for BAE Systems in Africa.

A fluent Arabic speaker, Bridge qualified as a pilot and as an Arabic linguist in the Royal Navy and moved on to serve the British embassies in Kuwait and Cairo as an assistant defence attaché.

Commenting on his new role, he said: “The Middle East and Africa is an exciting region, which offers lots of opportunities for us to develop strong and enduring partnerships, both as BAE Systems and working closely with the UK Government.  Working with colleagues from our land & armaments, military air and security businesses, who are also based out of our regional hub in Abu Dhabi, I believe we have a great team with the knowledge and drive to support our customers in the MENA region in achieving their future visions.”