Krone to step down as Leidos CEO; Rolls-Royce exec to replace him

Reston-based Fortune 500 contractor Leidos Chairman and CEO Roger Krone plans to step down from both positions this year, with Thomas Bell, the president of Defense Rolls-Royce plc and chairman and CEO of the company’s North American branch, succeeding Krone as CEO on May 4, Leidos announced Monday.

Robert S. Shapard will become the company’s independent, non-executive board chair after the 2023 annual stockholders’ meeting on May 4, when Krone is set to step down, Leidos announced.

“Tom’s exceptional track record in harnessing the power of technology to drive growth and innovation, with his strong leadership skills and focus on understanding the needs of the customer, has resulted in a consistent record of success and value creation in both products and services,” Shapard said in a statement. “His deep understanding of many of our customers will facilitate a smooth transition.”

Krone has led the science and technology contractor since 2014 and will continue as an adviser through July. In 2022, it reported $14.4 billion in revenue and employs more than 45,000 people globally, and in February 2022, Leidos won its largest contract ever: a $11.5 billion contract to consolidate enterprise IT services for more than 370,000 users in 22 Department of Defense agencies and field activities.

Bell, who will also join Leidos’ board in May, has led Rolls-Royce North America since 2018, as well as its global defense contracting division, which has more than 9,500 employees worldwide. He previously was The Boeing Co.’s senior vice president of global sales and marketing for defense, space and security, and president of Rolls-Royce Defense Aerospace. Bell began his aerospace career with Lockheed Martin and spent more than two decades at Boeing.

“Working with the extraordinary people of Leidos has been the honor of my career,” Krone said in a statement. “Their dedication, innovation, and unwavering commitment to our mission have been the driving force behind our success. I want to thank them for the privilege of serving as their leader for nearly nine years, and for inspiring me with their passion, their brilliance, and their unwavering commitment to excellence. It has been a privilege to be a part of this remarkable team, and I am confident that the future of Leidos is in the best possible hands with all of them.”