BAE : Coronavirus updates

Update - 08 April

Proud to support our NHS

We're donating more than 120,000 face shields to help protect NHS staff on the frontline.
As well as supporting the national ventilator effort, employees across our business have rallied to donate vital Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the NHS to help protect medical staff around the UK in the fight against Coronavirus.

Employees in our Air sector, who normally produce parts for combat aircraft including Eurofighter Typhoon, and our Submarines business are 3D printing parts for newly designed face shields. Meanwhile, we are sourcing tens of thousands of additional face shields through our supply chain to distribute to the NHS on our behalf, which means we will deliver more than 120,000 face shields to the NHS this month.

Update - 07 April

STEM resources to help with home schooling

As part of our Community Investment programme in the UK, we partner with STEM Learning, the UK's largest provider of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths education. Together we have developed a range of primary and secondary level teaching resources. They're perfect for helping children or students who are currently studying from home get to grips with everything from light and colour to Newton's First Law of Motion.

You can access the collection of BAE Systems resources here - you'll just need to register for a free account first. And elsewhere on the STEM Learning web site, there are thousands of quality-assured resources suitable for Primary school children through to Secondary and A Level. https://www.stem.org.uk/resources

In addition, another of our partners - the Royal Academy of Engineering, has made available a 12-page booklet to teach children about exciting engineering innovations that have changed our world.

Update - 03 April

Market update

The Company has provided an update to the financial markets in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Annual General Meeting

Our AGM will be held on 7 May 2020 as scheduled. As public gatherings of more than two people are currently prohibited in the UK, shareholders will not be able to attend the meeting in person.

We are asking our shareholders to vote on the resolutions put to the meeting by proxy, using the usual online and postal facilities. A poll will be taken and the results will be posted on our website. We are sorry our shareholders will be unable to attend our AGM this year and want to thank them for their understanding and support.

2019 Dividend

In the first quarter of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic had no material impact on our financial performance and we are in a strong financial position. However, given the uncertainty of the COVID-19 situation, the Board has decided it is in the best interests of the business, with regard to all stakeholders' interests, to defer a decision on payment of the dividend proposed at our 2019 preliminary results in February.

We recognise the importance of the dividend to our shareholders and whilst it remains our intention to pay a dividend, the timing will depend on macro-economic and social conditions over the coming months. We will provide an update at our Half Year results on 30 July 2020, at which time the Board will also review remuneration of the Executive Directors.

Read the full statement here: Market update

Update - 30 March

Supporting the UK ventilator effort article published

The Government has today asked the VentilatorChallengeUK consortium, of which we're a proud member, to begin the rapid production of ventilator systems in the fight against Covid-19.

Update - 24 March

Update regarding recruitment for positions requiring experience

In line with the UK Government's developing guidance for the Covid-19 pandemic and in support of social distancing, we have been reviewing the management of our recruitment activity. We will continue to keep this under constant review.

In order to protect the health and wellbeing of everyone, we will now be conducting interviews remotely. Candidates will be contacted by their recruitment advisor to make these arrangements. If you subsequently require any adjustments to the interview process described to you please raise this with your recruitment advisor.

Start dates and on-boarding arrangements may also change and your recruitment advisor will inform you of any relevant changes.

We thank you in advance for your understanding as we adjust to this unprecedented situation.

Update regarding recruitment for early careers

In line with the UK Government's developing guidance for the Covid-19 pandemic and in support of social distancing, we have been reviewing the management of our recruitment activity. We will continue to keep this under constant review.

We have been considering how best to manage the impact of delays to our apprentice recruitment process and potential delays to our graduate recruitment process. We are working through how to assess applications for apprentice positions and will be in contact with candidates within the next few weeks to inform them of next steps. At the moment all graduate interviews will be conducted remotely, and candidates will be contacted to make arrangements. We will also be in touch with those who have applied for summer internships and industrial placements for this year as the situation evolves. If you subsequently require any adjustments to the interview process described to you please raise this with your recruitment advisor.

We thank you in advance for your understanding as we adjust to this unprecedented situation.

UK working arrangements

The health and wellbeing of our people is our top priority. In line with the latest Government guidance, our UK based employees are working from home where possible.

We're working closely with our customers to agree which roles remain essential to be delivered at our sites in support of national defence and security. We're working as quickly as possible to provide clarity and have advised employees to remain at home unless they are needed to support critical customer operations. We're thankful for the continued support and co-operation of our employees during this period of unprecedented challenge and uncertainty, as we all play our part in tackling this public health emergency.

Update - 22 March

Message from Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive Officer

We are operating at a time of unprecedented disruption and change around the world as governments in all of our markets continue to tackle public health emergencies due to the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak. The health and safety of our people remains our top priority and we are engaging regularly with our employees. Our leadership teams around the world are focussed on the actions we need to take to protect the health and wellbeing of our employees and their families, whilst working with our customers and suppliers to minimise the impact on our operations.
We are monitoring advice from the World Health Organisation and national governments in each of our markets to ensure we are taking appropriate action to help protect our people. In common with many organisations, we have significant numbers of employees working remotely where possible. Our Business Continuity teams are working at pace to look at where and how we can support further remote working, in line with guidance from governments.
A number of our sites around the world need to continue operating to deliver critical capabilities to help governments and members of the armed forces and security services to protect national security at this challenging time. We are taking actions at these sites to protect our people and minimise disruption.
Our travel policies are under constant review to align with guidance in the markets in which we operate. Like other organisations, we are minimising travel whilst focussing on meeting our customers' needs. Our suppliers include many small and medium sized companies, who play an important role in supporting our customers. We are exploring how we can further support our supply chain partners during this challenging time.
We are also carefully considering other actions to assist the communities around the world where we live and work. We are increasing our support to our existing charity partners and we are looking for opportunities to extend our support to charitable organisations supporting the most vulnerable people in our local communities.
I want to personally thank all of our employees, suppliers and customers for your support, flexibility and patience as we continue to take the necessary actions to support the national governments in each of our markets as they seek to manage this public health emergency and respond to what is a fast moving and constantly evolving situation.
Charles Woodburn