Ken Roberts was named President, Helicopters in March 2008. In this role, he is responsible for leading the helicopter business globally. Ken is a member of the Defence Sector leadership team and is dually accountable to Axel Arendt, President of the Defence Sector, and Jim Guyette, CEO and President of Rolls-Royce North America.

Prior to this role, Ken served as Executive Vice President of the Helicopter business from January 2005 and was accountable for a team of Regional Vice Presidents focused on customer and partner relationships, as well as having overall responsibility for strategy, business development, sales, marketing and other areas. Ken also served as Deputy to the President in this role.

Prior to joining the helicopter group, Ken served as Vice President of Business Development for the Rolls-Royce Defense North America business unit. He provided leadership for a host of near and long-term business and product initiatives, and guided the strategy, sales, marketing, intelligence and business acquisition activities of Defense North America over a three-year period.

From 1999 to 2001, Ken served as Vice President of Marketing for the Rolls-Royce Corporate and Regional Aircraft business unit. During his tenure the business experienced a period of significant growth, and Ken was instrumental in the launch of several key products tailored to emerging market requirements.

Prior to 1999, Ken served in a variety of strategy, planning, marketing, business management, commercial and consultancy roles within Rolls-Royce.

Ken Roberts has completed international assignments in Germany and the United Kingdom, and has taught business strategy at the university level. He has an MBA from Indiana University Bloomington, and is married with one daughter.