THE boss of BAE Systems, Lancashire’s biggest private employer, has admitted: ‘We will never be loved’.
Chief executive Ian King said that after years of criticism over bribery charges and the controversy of the defence industry, BAE would always have an image problem.
However, he said that now the aerospace giant had settled bribery claims in the US and UK, it could move on with confidence.
The company, which employs more than 10,000 in Lancashire, has implemented changes to avoid future controversies.
Mr King said: “We’re never going to be loved because of the scale and size of the company and the business we’re in. We just want to be valued and trusted.
If we get that, that’s a major step forward.”
BAE employs 4,000 at its Samlesbury plant.
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