Pearce to replace Sukawaty as Inmarsat CEO

Satellite communications provider Inmarsat plc reported that current CEO and wireless industry veteran Andrew Sukawaty will relinquish his position to Rupert Pearce effective Jan. 1, 2012, at which time Sukawaty will move to his new position as executive chairman of the company. Pearce, who currently serves as SVP of Inmarsat Enterprises and Inmarsat’s group general counsel, is set today to join the company’s board as an executive director.
Inmarsat said the move is part of a previously announced plan to separate the roles of chairman and CEO. Sukawaty also currently serves as Inmarsat’s chairman.
Pearce has been with Inmarsat for six years where he was involved in the company’s strategic direction, including the creation and negotiation of the co-operation agreement with LightSquared on the use of Inmarsat’s spectrum covering North America.
Sukawaty has agreed to remain executive chairman of the company for at least two years after taking the position.