Filtronic, one time darling of the mobile boom, has appointed a new Chief Executive. Defence expert John Roulston is currently Group Technical Director at BAE Systems Avionics. He starts at Filtronic on 6th September.

The post of CEO is being split from the Chairman. Professor David Rhodes. Queries over corporate governance and the makeup of the board had prompted calls for the move.

Shares in Filtronic have plummeted following a profit warning and the departure of the Finance Director.

Previously Prof Roulston had been instrumental in linking Filtronic to BAE Systems in gallium arsenide and integrated microwave technology.