Skyler Bernards
Tom Arseneault is the President and Chief Executive Officer of BAE Systems. Spending over two decades in the company, he has taken on increasing leadership responsibilities. Get to know more about his professional background and accomplishments.
Who is Tom Arseneault?
Tom Arseneault is the President and CEO of BAE Systems, a U.S.-based company focusing on defense, aerospace, and security. With over 22 years in the company, he has held various leadership roles, including President of Electronic Systems and Executive Vice President.
He has played a crucial role in the company’s strategic direction and oversaw major achievements such as the $5.55 billion acquisition of Ball Aerospace and the production of numerous Bradley Fighting Vehicles.
Tom Arseneault’s Wash100 Awards
Tom Arseneault is a three-time Wash100 award winner. This has been accompanied by a series of promotions, from serving as the COO to assuming a dual role as the President and COO. Eventually, he was promoted to President and CEO of BAE Systems.
2014
Tom Arseneault received his first Wash100 award for leading company missions and excelling in space electronics and infrared countermeasures.
2020
Tom Arseneault secured his second Wash100 award for driving BAE System’s growth through significant acquisitions that enhanced its defense capabilities.
Under his command, the company acquired two businesses divested by United Technologies and Raytheon to fulfill antitrust requirements for their impending merger. Specifically, these were the military GPS business of UTC’s Collins Aerospace ($1.925 billion) and Raytheon’s airborne tactical radios business ($275 million).
BAE Systems then integrated these businesses into its electronic systems sector, further strengthening its position in the defense market.
2024
Tom Arseneault received his third Wash100 award for supporting the U.S. defense efforts through new business combinations and contract pursuits. BAE Systems secured a $5.5 billion deal in August 2023 under his leadership. This adds significant capabilities to the company, such as missile and C4ISR technologies.
Read more: The Difference Between Acquisitions And Procurement
Tom Arseneault at BAE Systems
1. Tom Arseneault has worked to create a diverse, fair, and inclusive workplace at BAE Systems. His leadership has consistently met diversity, equity, and inclusion goals, including increasing the representation of women, people of color, and people with disabilities in senior roles.
2. Tom has guided the company in addressing both current and future defense technologies. This was shown in the company’s response to the war in Ukraine, establishing a local presence to collaborate with the Armed Forces Ukraine (AFU).
3. Under his purview, the company has made strategic acquisitions, including Bohemia Interactive Simulations, which has greatly enhanced BAE Systems’ simulation and training capabilities.
4. As the President and CEO of BAE Systems, Inc., Tom Arseneault has significantly improved the company’s financial performance. His leadership has seen BAE Systems’ stronger operational performance, increased sales, and improved earnings per share.
In 2022, the company recorded an annual order intake and exceptional free cash flow. In the first half of 2023, BAE Systems reported an 11% increase in sales, a 10% increase in underlying EBIT, a 17% increase in underlying earnings per share, and a record order backlog of £66.2 billion.
5. Tom Arseneault has delivered business and functional performance across the company’s three primary sectors. He led the company’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and managed the evolving defense budget.
