BAe man named as government commerce chief

Peter Gershon, chief operating officer of BAe Systems, and a board member of British Aerospace (BAe), will become chief executive of the Office of Government Commerce. The OGC, which opens 1 April, has been charged with saving £1bn from the Government's £13bn annual civil procurement budget, largely through e-procurement.

Gershon undertook a review for the UK Government on Civil Procurement last year, which recommended the creation of the OGC. He was prised away from BAe after playing a key role in its merger last December with Marconi Electronic Systems.

Gershon's contract with BAe specified a 24-month notice period and, according to company documents, £470,000 of share options "specifically designed to incentivise Mr Gershon".

Gershon is joining the Treasury as a civil servant on a three-year contract. His salary will be £180,000.