ROLLS-Royce is set to appoint its first foreign boss after striking an agreement with the Government.

The aerospace giant is set to amend its ‘golden share’ rules at Friday’s AGM.

It will mean that a foreigner could take the chief executive or chairman job for the first time in the company’s 100-year history.

Rolls, along with East Lancashire counterpart BAE Systems, currently has a deal with the Government ensuring a Briton will fill the top jobs.

It was set up because both firms have sensitive defence contracts.

However, some experts see it as out-dated in a world where top businesses compete for global talent.

John Rishton has just taken the reins as Rolls’ chief executive but chairman Sir Simon Robertson could quit next year.

The aerospace company employs 1,000 at its Barnoldswick base, where fan blades are manufactured.