Neel Mehta
Lockheed Martin Corp. has appointed John Neilson to the newly-created position of communications director for the Europe, Middle East and Africa regions.
The company said Neilson will work out of London and manage the firm’s internal and international communications efforts in those regions.
He brings experience in carrying out communications campaigns within complex multinational markets, said Stephen Ball, chief executive of Lockheed Martin UK.
Neilson previously served as vice president of international communications at BAE Systems, where he supported and expanded the company’s business footprint in Australia, India and Saudi Arabia.
He also lead campaigns in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
His experience at BAE includes senior communications positions in both the U.K. and other countries, where he was responsible for media relations, employee engagement, issues management, mergers and acquisitions and marketing communications.
Before BAE, Neilson also spent nine years at Nissan Motor Co., where he led the communications team for that company’s European manufacturing and design centers.
Lockheed said the U.K. is its largest international market, with more than 2,000 employees and $1.3 billion in sales recorded last year.
