Nelson named head of Boeing International

Boeing announced it has named former Australian Defence Minister Brendan Nelson as head of the company's international division.

Nelson, the second non-U.S. citizen to lead the organization, will report to Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun and join the company's executive council, according to a statement. The Australian citizen has been president of Boeing Australia, New Zealand, and South Pacific since February 2020. He will move to London to take up his new role, effective Jan. 12, 2023.

Nelson will succeed Sir Michael Arthur when he retires from Boeing in early 2023. Arthur ran the division over the past four years.

Nelson will oversee 20 regional offices around the world. "His responsibilities will include developing the company's growth and productivity initiatives outside the United States, forming new business and industrial partnerships, overseeing international affairs, enhancing Boeing's local presence and providing global functional support," according to the statement announcing his appointment.

In addition to serving as Australia's defence minister, Nelson also was the country's ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg, the European Union and NATO for three years.

Maria Fernandez will succeed Nelson as president of Boeing Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific effective Dec. 20, 2022, according to the company.

Fernandez has held senior executive positions in Australia's departments of Home Affairs, Defence, Immigration and Border Protection and Education. Prior to joining Boeing, she ran a consultancy that provided strategic advisory and independent assurance services to Australian government agencies, the company said.