Ben Palmer has been appointed to take over from Ronald Spithout as president of the Maritime Business Unit at UK-based satellite communications company Inmarsat.
Palmer was previously head of technology company Northrop Grumman's Mission Systems division in Europe. Inmarsat said Palmer had been chosen for his 25 years' experience in digital heavy industries, consumer-centric focus and track record of delivering results.
"Customer-centricity is central to everything we do and Ben is the ideal leader to support our maritime partners and customers as they navigate a rapidly changing world and embrace the benefits of digitalisation," said Inmarsat chief executive Rajeev Suri.
Palmer will take up the position on 8 November.
In March, Suri, a former chief executive at Nokia, was appointed chief executive of Inmarsat by the company’s new private equity owners and has since made a number of senior executive appointments.
Warburg Pincus headed private equity consortium Connect Bidco Limited to complete the take over of Inmarsat in January 2020.
Outgoing Spithout has led Inmarsat's maritime business since 2014 having jointed the company in 1988.
He introduced some of Inmarsat's leading maritime communications products, including Fleet Xpress, which is now installed on 11,000 vessels.
No reason was given for his departure.
Suri praised Spithout's contribution to the company.
"His leadership helped make Fleet Xpress the success it is today and I am delighted to report that our maritime business continues to show enhanced performance which forms a solid foundation for the future," Suri said.
