Government services company Serco has appointed Anthony Kirby as its new group chief executive, effective Monday. Kirby succeeds Mark Irwin, who retired after a 12-year tenure as group CEO at the firm based in Hart, England.
Prior to this promotion, Kirby served as the group’s chief operating officer for over two years and as the human resources director for more than four years. His extensive experience also includes over 17 years at Compass Group, where he held the role of group workforce and organization director, overseeing operations in more than 40 countries.
Growth Momentum in 2025
Looking ahead to 2025, Kirby expressed pride in leading a dedicated team of over 50,000 personnel tasked with delivering government services worldwide. He believes Serco is entering the new year “in great shape,” with a strong momentum from a record pipeline and promising financial results.
“Our strong performance gives us a platform to continue to build on, and allows us to continue delivering first-class solutions for the customers and missions we serve, while developing new capabilities around the world to meet the demands of the future,” the new chief executive said in a statement.
Contract Awards and Acquisition
Among Serco’s most recent contracts is from the U.K. Ministry of Defence to develop a comprehensive enlistment system for the Royal Navy, the British Army, the Royal Air Force and Strategic Command. Irwin, who was still in his role at the time of the announcement, highlighted the company’s commitment to supporting the U.K. Armed Forces Recruitment Service, continuing its investments since the system’s launch in 2021.
Additionally, in January, Serco announced its plan to acquire Northrop Grumman’s mission training and satellite ground network communications software business in a $327 million cash deal. This acquisition, expected to be completed by mid-2025 pending regulatory approvals, is set to enhance Serco’s growth potential in the U.S. defense market and expand its service offerings to customers globally.