PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
09 Jan 26. His Majesty the King has approved the appointment of Major General (Maj Gen) Phil Prosser CBE as the next Chief of Defence Logistics and Support (CDLS), in the rank of Lieutenant General, from October 2026.
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
07 Jan 26. New DoD/SANDF major generals/rear admirals named. Senior management of the Joint Operations Division of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) gained three major generals in the annual Department of Defence (DoD) Human Resources Division appointments/promotions announcement. The SA Army, one of three SANDF combat services, has four new top brass members while Lieutenant General Ntshavheni Maphaha’s SA Military Health Service (SAMHS) accounts for a further two major general/rear admiral appointments. No senior appointments at the two-star level were made at either of the other combat services – the SA Air Force (SAAF) and the SA Navy (SAN). All told, the Department of Defence (DoD) named 15 appointments at this level with seven effective as of 1 January. The others take office on dates varying from 1 February, 1 April, 1 June as well as the first days of October and November this year.
JOps, as Lieutenant General Siphiwe Sangweni’s command is colloquially known, has a new deputy chief in the form of SA Army Major General Sandile Hlongwa. Among his previous posts are General Officer Commanding (GOC) Army Training Command and Army Force Structure.
Joining him in the Centurion EcoPark JOps headquarters are newly minted major generals Tom Yalo and MM Tshivhidzo. Yalo has a term as GOC Special Forces on his CV and is a regular on official SANDF visits by Chief Rudzani Maphwanya, including to Iran. SA Army staff officer Tshividzo was, as far as can be ascertained, South Africa’s military advisor to the United Nations ahead of the move to JOps.
The senior command structure at Lieutenant General Lawrence Mbatha’s SA Army adds major generals HJ Stroebel (GOC Support Formation), Leon Puckree (Chief Director Army Force Structure), L Zicina (Chief Director Force Preparation) and Etienne Visagie (Chief Director Army Corporate Services). Stroebel and Puckree’s appointments are effective as from 1 April with Zicina starting in October and Visagie in November when major generals Patrick Dube and John Thys retire.
Defence Intelligence has a new deputy in the form of Major General Rene Mercuur. She is no stranger to being number two in SANDF divisions, formations and services having put in stints as deputy chief at JOps and before that at the landward force.
Other Defence Intelligence appointments see the SAAF’s DJ Mokoena obtain his second star to do duty as Chief Director Collection with SA Army one star C Terblanche earning her second star to go with her Chief Director Intelligence Processing title.
Come November the DoD Inspector General will be Rear Admiral TE Mhlonyane replacing Major General Musa Mazibuko (retiring). The DoD Human Resources Division welcomes newly minted major generals Mpho Leketi (Director Transformation Management) and Mninimzi Sizane (Chief Joint Training). Both are SA Army staff officers.
At SAMHS Major General Mokakatla Skosana is the new deputy Surgeon General and Major General M Vorster takes over as Chief Director Military Health Force Support from Skosana.
Also named in a separate appointments/promotions bulletin are more than 50 new brigadier generals/rear admirals (junior grade) across the DoD/SANDF with former colonel EP Sithole earning his first star as personal staff officer (PSO), also known as an aide de camp, to SANDF Chief General Rudzani Maphwanya.
Other directorates, divisions, formations and service where newly appointed brigadier general/rear admirals (junior grade) are either in place or will take up posts soon are the Directorate Corporate Communication (one), JOps (seven), IG (one), Defence Intelligence (11), Logistics Division (eight), Human Resources Division (six), SA Army (eight), SAAF (three), SAN (three) and SAMHS (nine). (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
INDUSTRY
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
08 Jan 26. Infleqtion (the “Company”), a global leader in neutral atom-based quantum technology, announced the appointment of Colin Sullivan MBE as Managing Director of Infleqtion UK effective immediately. In this role, he will spearhead Infleqtion’s UK operations, advancing its mission to transform quantum research into deployable capabilities for defence, security, and commercial sectors. Sullivan is joining Infleqtion after the company announced in September that it plans to go public through a business combination with Churchill Capital Corp X (NASDAQ: CCCX) (“Churchill X”), a special purpose acquisition company. Sullivan currently serves as the UK National Air and Space Delegate to the NATO Industry Advisory Group (NIAG), providing industrial insight, advice and guidance on strategic priorities for allied defence capabilities. He has held senior Royal Air Force appointments as Chief Operations Officer and Deputy Force Commander, as well as Senior Military Advisor to the UK’s defence research programme. Post-military service, Sullivan has held senior leadership appointments at Lockheed Martin UK and Boeing Defence UK. Most recently, Sullivan served as UK Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Government Affairs at HENSOLDT UK, leading UK business growth strategies, government and industry engagements. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
07 Jan 26. Accurus Aerospace Holdings, LLC (“Accurus”), a leading supplier of highly engineered structural parts, complex assemblies and electromechanical subsystems to the global aerospace, defense and space industry which operates through the “Accurus” and “Ferra” brand names, announced today the appointment of Daniel E. Murphy as President and Chief Executive Officer. Accurus is a portfolio company of Liberty Hall Capital Partners (“Liberty Hall”). Mr. Murphy is a proven leader with more than 30 years of experience in aerospace, defense and complementary industrial sectors. He joins Accurus from Westinghouse Electric Corporation, where he served as Senior Vice President, Global Fuel Manufacturing, for Westinghouse’s nuclear fuel business. At Westinghouse, he oversaw 3,800 team members across five facilities located in the U.S., U.K., and Sweden while leading all central functions, including manufacturing strategy and risk, material planning, program management and operational excellence. Mr. Murphy previously held roles of increasing responsibility at Howmet Aerospace, culminating in his role as Vice President and General Manager of Howmet Engineered Structures. Mr. Murphy is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and served on active duty in the United States Navy for twenty years, rising to the rank of Commander. (Source: PR Newswire)
08 Jan 26. Amphenol Corporation (NYSE: APH) today announced that Sanjiv Lamba has been appointed to Amphenol’s board of directors. With his appointment, the size of the Company’s board has increased to nine members. Mr. Lamba is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Linde plc (NASDAQ: LIN), a leading global industrial gases and engineering company. Mr. Lamba is based in Danbury, Connecticut and was promoted to the role of Chief Executive Officer of Linde in 2022 and has been named Chairman of Linde’s board effective January 31, 2026. He brings nearly thirty years of global leadership experience to Amphenol’s board. Prior to his current role as CEO, Mr. Lamba served as Chief Operating Officer of Linde, where he was responsible for the regional operating segments of the Americas, APAC and EMEA, as well as Linde Engineering, Lincare and certain other global functions. Prior to being named COO, Mr. Lamba led Linde’s operations in the Asia-Pacific region across a footprint of nearly 20 countries in the region. He joined Linde in 2006 when the company acquired BOC Group, where he served as Managing Director, Process Gas Solutions, South and Southeast Asia. Mr. Lamba has been with Linde/BOC for almost his entire career, having joined BOC India in 1989. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Calcutta’s St. Xavier’s College, and qualified as a Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
05 Jan 26. Blue Yonder Defense Solutions, the defense and government arm of the world’s leading AI supply chain company, today announced the appointment of Retired LtGen Michael S. Cederholm as its chief executive officer, effective immediately. LtGen Cederholm brings more than 36 years of senior leadership experience translating strategic intent into disciplined execution across complex, mission-critical global operations. In an era of disruption and competition, supply chains have become a core instrument of national power and decisive source of strategic advantage. LtGen Cederholm assumes leadership at a pivotal moment when global operations, the Defense Industrial Base and associated supply chains face unprecedented disruption and risk. Under his leadership, Blue Yonder Defense Solutions will accelerate innovation to provide customers decision advantage at scale—enabling defense, allied, humanitarian organizations, and industry partners to operate with greater readiness, speed and resilience in challenging environments. Blue Yonder Defense Solutions will continue to apply proven commercial AI to defense-grade missions, supporting U.S. forces, allied and partner nations through Foreign Military Sales (FMS), the Defense Industrial Base, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response worldwide. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
06 Jan 26. Leonardo DRS, Inc. (NASDAQ: DRS) announced today the appointment of Sally Wallace as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer (COO). Wallace, who has been with the company since 2002, will assume her new responsibilities effective immediately and will continue to report directly to CEO John Baylouny. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
05 Jan 26. Leonardo DRS, Inc. (NASDAQ: DRS) announced today that John Baylouny has officially assumed the role of President and Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2026. Baylouny is deeply rooted in the organization, bringing more than 35 years of experience across senior leadership, engineering, design, operations, and P&L leadership roles. As COO, he oversaw the company’s workforce across both operating segments and drove enterprise strategy for next-generation capability development. He has deep experience and a relentless drive for excellence, with an unwavering commitment to our warfighters. Baylouny’s leadership marks a bold new chapter for Leonardo DRS, one which he believes will be defined by speed and innovation. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
05 Jan 26. Sidus Space, Inc. (NASDAQ: SIDU) (“Sidus” or the “Company”), an innovative space and defense technology company, today announced the appointment of accomplished aerospace and defense executive Kelle Wendling to its Board of Directors. Ms. Wendling brings more than three decades of executive leadership and government contracting experience across space systems, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) markets. Sidus Space Appoints Aerospace Executive Kelle Wendling to Board of Directors Ms. Wendling previously served as President of the Space Systems Sector at L3Harris Technologies, where she led strategic growth initiatives, innovation programs, and mission-critical efforts supporting U.S. and international government customers. During her nearly 30-year tenure with L3Harris (formerly Harris Corporation), she held several senior executive leadership roles, including President of the Mission Networks Sector, Vice President and General Manager of ISR Solutions, and Vice President of Business Development, Strategy, and Technology for a business segment exceeding $1.5bn in annual revenue. (Source: PR Newswire)
02 Jan 26. Xenith Solutions announced that Chad Freeman has joined the company as its new Chief Solutions Engineer, bringing more than two decades of proven technology leadership, mission-focused engineering expertise, and innovation in support of national security customers. Freeman will serve as Xenith’s principal technology strategist, shaping enterprise-wide solution architectures, leading modernization initiatives, and driving technical innovation across the Department of War (DoW), Federal Civilian agencies, and the Intelligence Community. (Source: PR Newswire)
07 Jan 26. Terran Orbital, a Lockheed Martin Company and a leading manufacturer of satellite solutions, announced today the appointment of Michael Vishion as vice president of program management. Vishion reports to Peter Krauss, chief executive officer. Vishion brings more than 25 years of aerospace and defense experience, with extensive leadership across program management, contracts, product development, and operations. A U.S. Navy veteran, he has supported Department of Defense customers throughout his career and is recognized as a trusted leader in delivering complex, mission-critical programs. Prior to joining Terran Orbital, Vishion held senior leadership roles overseeing multi-site defense and space portfolios valued between $200 m and $350 m. He led organizations of more than 60 professionals and is known for restoring execution discipline, turning around challenged programs, and building collaborative, accountable teams.
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
06 Jan 26. Boeing has named Air Vice‑Marshal (Ret’d) Steve “Zed” Roberton as its new president for Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. Starting on 5 January in Sydney, Roberton will oversee Boeing Australia Holdings as its chairperson, lead strategic initiatives, expand partner collaborations and serve as the company’s senior government liaison. (Source: ADM)