[SatNews] A planned separation of executive duties has now been announced...

Inmarsat plc (LSE:Isat L) reports that, with effect from January 1st, 2012, Andrew Sukawaty will become Executive Chairman and Rupert Pearce will become Chief Executive Officer. Rupert will join the Inmarsat plc board as an executive director effective July 6th, 2011. With this appointment, Inmarsat has implemented a previously announced plan to separate the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Pearce, who currently serves as Senior Vice President of Inmarsat Enterprises and Inmarsat's Group General Counsel, has been with the company for six years. In this time, he has been instrumental in shaping the strategic direction of the company, including the acquisition of Inmarsat's largest distributor, Stratos; formulating and executing the business plan for the Global Xpress™ Inmarsat-5 satellite constellation; as well as the creation and negotiation of the Co-operation Agreement with LightSquared on use of Inmarsat's spectrum over North America. The Board of Inmarsat has confirmed that Andrew Sukawaty has agreed to continue to be involved in the business as Executive Chairman for not less than two years. He will continue in the joint role of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer until December 31st, 2011.