Public services provider Serco has announced that Mark Irwin will become the group’s chief executive when Rupert Soames steps down at the end of the year.

Irwin is currently CEO of the company’s UK and Europe division, having joined Serco in 2013. Between 2014 and 2020, he ran Serco’s Asia-Pacific region, before moving from Australia to lead the UK and Europe division.

Prior to joining Serco, Irwin held leadership roles in several private equity portfolio businesses in the US and China, and also worked for eight years for multinationals, including GE in the US and Australia.

John Rishton, chair of Serco, said: “I am delighted to be able to announce Mark Irwin’s appointment as CEO designate of what is now a thriving and resilient business, following the successful turnaround led by Rupert Soames. During our selection process it was clear that Mark’s deep knowledge of Serco in the UK, Europe and Asia Pacific, as well as his prior experience working in the US and the tremendous results he has delivered for us in all his roles make him the ideal person to lead the group through its next phase of growth.”