Rolls-Royce Appoints New President for Middle east, Turkey Africa

• Rolls-Royce plc has appointed John Kelly as President of the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa (META) region, effective immediately
• Rolls-Royce Power Systems Africa provides world-class power solutions and complete life-cycle support, serving Africa’s growing power generation, marine, rail, and industrial sectors
• In his new role, John will provide leadership and representation for Rolls-Royce’s Civil Aerospace, Power Systems, and Defence businesses across the META region

Rolls-Royce plc has appointed John Kelly as President of the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa (META) region, effective immediately. Kelly previously served as Senior Vice President of Europe, Middle East, and Africa for the Group’s Civil Aerospace business, where he worked for six years.

He began his career with Rolls-Royce as a graduate trainee in the Defence business more than 20 years ago in 2001. He held various management roles before joining Civil Aerospace.

In his new role, John will provide leadership and representation for Rolls-Royce’s Civil Aerospace, Power Systems, and Defence businesses across the META region, engaging with senior government and industry stakeholders.

Rolls-Royce is a leading provider of complex power and propulsion solutions for safety-critical applications in the air, at sea, and on land, employing over 150 people across Africa with an extensive reach throughout the region.

Rolls-Royce Civil Aerospace serves more than 20 African airline customers in 15 countries, with over 80 widebody aircraft in service and another 30 on order, representing more than 50% of the African widebody aircraft market.

Company Services in Africa

Since 2017, the company has supported the launch of three new airlines and delivered more than 30 new aircraft. Rolls-Royce also powers a significant proportion of the regional aircraft market, with over 95 aircraft in service.

John KellyAfrica provides world-class power solutions and complete life-cycle support, serving Africa’s growing power generation, marine, rail, and industrial sectors.

The company provides vital power solutions to data centers, mining, oil and gas, shipping, locomotive, and agriculture companies across the continent, with headquarters in South Africa.

Rolls-Royce Defence delivers innovative power and propulsion solutions to meet operational requirements for protecting, securing, and exploring. The company collaborates closely with several African governments, serving numerous defence forces.

John Kelly said: “Africa is the world’s second-most populous continent and on target to become the first to grow its economies solely through modern technologies and sustainable low-carbon energy sources. This rapidly developing and innovative region is vital to Rolls-Royce’s future. I will aim to ensure we build upon our foundations while supporting transformative economic growth, climate resilience, and an energy transition that is right for Africa.

“While we are renowned for excellence in civil aerospace, we will leverage opportunities for all the Rolls-Royce businesses, providing safety-critical power and propulsion solutions for Africa’s major infrastructure projects and industrial customers. Our technology can play a fundamental role in enabling the transition to a low carbon global economy.”

John is committed to growing partnerships across Africa, reflecting Rolls-Royce’s core engineering and technological innovations, as the company pursues ambitious goals for the future.

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