Chemring Group (LSE:CHG) has appointed Geir Håøy, former chief executive of Kongsberg Gruppen, as chair of its Norwegian subsidiary Chemring Nobel, effective 1 July.
Chemring Nobel manufactures advanced military explosives and is described as entering its most significant growth phase in decades, with capacity being expanded at its Sætre facility and a feasibility study underway with the Norwegian Government on a potential new production site to meet demand from Norway, Europe and NATO.
Håøy spent more than three decades at Kongsberg Gruppen, joining as a systems engineer in 1993 and serving as CEO from 2016 until earlier this year, overseeing major acquisitions and international expansion across the Norwegian defence group.
He succeeds Sarah Ellard, who has chaired Chemring Nobel since 2019 and has indicated her intention to retire from Chemring Group in 2027.
"His industrial leadership and strategic insight will be a significant asset as the business scales up to meet the critical needs of our allies," said Michael Ord, Chemring's chief executive.
The feasibility study into the new Norwegian production facility represents the nearer-term catalyst for the subsidiary's expansion plans.
