Abrupt Departure Comes Just Four Months After He Was Appointed To The Post

The man who was tapped barely four months ago to lead Rolls-Royce's Aerospace division said Thursday he would be stepping down from the position in a move that was described as a "surprise."

Rolls-Royce offered no explanation as to why Mark King decided to leave the prestigious position, other than to say that it was for "personal reasons."

King had been with Rolls-Royce for 27 years, and had recently been promoted to lead the company's unit which builds engines for commercial and military aircraft.

The New York Times reports that neither the company, nor Britain's Serious Fraud Office would comment on whether King's resignation was in any way connected with an investigation being conducted concerning some of the company's business dealings in Asia. Rolls-Royce announce in December that it was cooperating in the investigation that focused on civilian agreements reached in the 1980s and 1990s with Indonesia and China.

King will be replaced by Tony Wood, who currently leads the company's marine engine division. The change will be effective June 1.

FMI: www.rolls-royce.com