Avon Protection names new chief executive

Melksham, UK – Avon Protection plc has appointed Jos Sclater as chief executive officer, with effect from 16 Jan 2023.

Sclater joins Avon Protection from Ultra Electronics plc, where he served as group chief financial officer for the past three years.

In that role, he led “a broad-based transformation programme” focused on improving growth and efficiency, said Avon in a statement 17 Oct.

Sclater also had group-wide responsibility for the finance, treasury, IT, procurement, transformation, continuous improvement and risk functions.

He also had direct oversight of Ultra's forensic technology and energy businesses.

Prior to this, he was group CFO at Castrol Lubricants and, before that, spent seven years at GKN plc, as group CFO and director of corporate finance & strategy.

"He [Sclater] brings a wealth of experience in leadership roles and an impressive track record of value creation within global manufacturing businesses,” said Bruce Thompson, executive chair of Avon Protection.

“His... deep experience in the international defence industry make him a standout choice to lead Avon Protection as chief executive officer," he said.

Sclater replaces former CEO Paul McDonald who stepped down from the position 30 Sept.