LONDON, Feb 14 (Reuters) - British defence company BAESystems has picked former oil industry executiveCharles Woodburn as heir apparent to Chief Executive Ian King, asource close to the situation said on Sunday.
Woodburn, who has worked at oilfield services companySchlumberger and is currently chief executive at privateequity-backed Expro, is likely to be appointed as BAE Systems'chief operating officer this week before taking the top job in12 to 18 months, the source said.
Reports last year said that BAE Systems had started a searchto find the replacement for King, who has been in the role since2008 and has had to navigate cuts in defence spending by theBritish and United States governments, BAE's biggest customers.
The company is set to embark on major new projects in thenext few years, including building the replacement for Britain'sVanguard nuclear submarines.
Woodburn's appointment, which was first reported by SkyNews, is a departure from BAE Systems' tradition of choosing aninsider to the top job.
BAE Systems, which reports full-year results on Thursday,declined to comment. (Reporting by Sarah Young; Writing by Paul Sandle; Editing byDavid Goodman)