Rupert Soames leaving Aggreko to join Serco

Rupert Soames is to resign as group chief executive of Aggreko to become CEO of Serco Group plc, the £5 billion services and outsourcing group. He will leave Aggreko after the annual general meeting on 24 April 2014.

Aggreko said it started to look for a successor and that there were “strong internal and external candidates”. Angus Cockburn, currently chief financial officer, will be Interim CEO from 24 April, with Carole Cran, director of group finance, as interim CFO.

Mr Soames said; "I have loved every minute of my time with Aggreko. Our customers, the essential nature of our services and above all our people make it an outstanding company and I am proud to have played a part in its successful growth over the past 11 years.

“But there comes a time when all CEOs need to move on and now, with a new five year strategy in place and an exceptionally strong executive team running the business, that time has come. Aggreko is a great company with great people and I wish Angus and the team every success."

Ken Hanna, group chairman, said: "Rupert has been an excellent CEO for Aggreko and the group has achieved an enormous amount during his tenure. We will miss him but understand his desire to seek fresh challenges elsewhere. We are delighted that Angus has agreed to become interim CEO whilst we identify a permanent CEO, from strong internal and external candidates.”

Serco employs more than 100000 people delivering services to government and private clients in over 30 countries. Its activities include running train networks, managing education authorities and operating air traffic control systems in five countries. Its revenues in 2012 were £4.9 billion.