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Rolls-Royce appoints two new members to North American Board

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Tuesday 3 March 2026 13:00 PM

Rolls-Royce appoints two new members to North American Board

Rolls-Royce (LSE: RR., ADR: RYCEY) announced the appointments of General Laura Richardson, U.S. Army (retired) and General Duke Richardson, U.S. Air Force (retired) to its Board of Directors for Rolls-Royce North America (RRNA), effective January 2026.

General Laura Richardson served more than 38 years in the Army, most recently as the commander of United States Southern Command where she was responsible for all U.S. Military operations and security cooperation across 31 countries and 15 areas of special sovereignty in Central and South America and the Caribbean. Prior to that, she was the commanding general of United States Army North. General Richardson began her career as an aviator, flying Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, and she commanded an assault helicopter battalion in Iraq. During her distinguished career, she served in the White House, at the Capitol and Pentagon.

General Duke Richardson retired as Commander, Air Force Materiel Command, after 42 years of distinguished service in the U.S. Air Force. General Richardson was responsible for the full lifecycle of virtually all Air Force weapon systems, from initial research and testing to long-term maintenance and installation support. In previous roles, he served as the military deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, and he completed four distinct Program Executive Officer acquisition leadership postings within the Air Force and U.S. Special Operations Command.

Adam Riddle, President – Defense & CEO, Rolls-Royce North America, said:

We are honored to welcome General Laura Richardson and General Duke Richardson to the RRNA Board of Directors. Each possesses decades of exemplary leadership, strategic vision, operational excellence, and an unwavering commitment to our nation’s defense. We are excited for the significant experience and leadership they will bring to our Board and the broader business.”

The two new Board members will also serve on the Board’s Government Security Committee as part of the RRNA Special Security Agreement with the U.S. Department of War.

Rolls-Royce North America

North America is the single largest market for Rolls-Royce and plays a significant role in our Civil, Defense and Power Systems businesses.

All of our U.S. defense aerospace products are designed, engineered, manufactured and assembled in Indianapolis, Indiana – our largest facility in the region. Other major sites in the region include Aiken, South Carolina, Mankato, Minnesota and Savannah, Georgia.

Over the past decade, Rolls-Royce North America has invested more than $1.5 billion in technology enhancements, facility upgrades and test capabilities in the United States.

In country, Rolls-Royce employs more than 5,000 people and supports hundreds of American suppliers in 34 locations across 26 states. Rolls-Royce operations contributed $6.2 billion to the U.S. economy in 2024.

About Rolls-Royce Holdings plc

Rolls-Rolls-Royce is a force for progress; powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere. Our products and service packages help our customers meet the growing need for power across multiple industries; enable governments to equip their armed forces with the power required to protect their citizens; and connect people, societies, cultures and economies together.
In the U.S., Rolls-Royce employs more than 5,000 people and supports hundreds of American suppliers in 34 locations across 26 states. Operations contributed $6.2 billion to the U.S. economy in 2024.
Rolls-Royce has a local presence in 48 countries and customers in over a hundred more, including airlines and aircraft leasing companies, armed forces and navies, and marine and industrial customers.
Through our multi-year transformation program, we are building a high-performing, competitive, resilient and growing Rolls-Royce. We are building the financial capacity and agility to allow us to successfully develop and deliver the products that will support our customers through the energy transition.
Annual underlying revenue was $27.05 billion in 2025, and underlying operating profit was $4.7 billion.
Rolls-Royce Holdings plc is a publicly traded company (LSE: RR., ADR: RYCEY, LEI: 213800EC7997ZBLZJH69)