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Rolls-Royce Names New Communications Manager for North American Defense Sector

INDIANAPOLIS-(Business Wire)-August 25, 2008 - Rolls-Royce has appointed Karin Ricketts as Manager, Corporate Communications, responsible for communications support of the company's defense business in North America including Rolls-Royce North America Technologies Inc. - LibertyWorks®.

Each year, Rolls-Royce businesses and operations in North America generate over $3 billion in sales and the company's total U.S. investment is nearly $1 billion. The region is home to the global headquarters for several Rolls-Royce businesses including Energy, Corporate & Regional Aircraft, Helicopter Engines and Defense North America. More Rolls-Royce engines are built in the United States than anywhere else in the world.

Ricketts, who is based at the Rolls-Royce facility in Indianapolis, Indiana, joins the company with 12 years of media and communications experience with leading Fortune 500 companies. In her new role, she will be responsible principally for media relations and communications strategy for the Indianapolis-based businesses.

“We are delighted to welcome Karin to our team,” said Dennis Jarvi, President of the Rolls-Royce Defense North America business. “Her work experience and professional career in communications make her a good fit for supporting our growing defense business in North America.”

Prior to joining Rolls-Royce, Ricketts worked at Eli Lilly and Company in Indianapolis in roles including corporate communications manager, internal communications consultant and e-communications manager. Ricketts has a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Indianapolis University and is a board member of the International Association of Business Communicators Heritage Region.

NOTE TO EDITORS

1. Rolls-Royce operates in four global markets - civil aerospace, defense aerospace, marine and energy. It is investing in technology and capability that can be used in each of these sectors to create a competitive range of products.

2. A significant and growing industry player in North America, Rolls-Royce employs nearly 8,000 people at more than 66 US locations in 26 states and seven sites in six Canadian provinces.

3. Rolls-Royce North America supports a wide range of customers, including: civil and military aircraft manufacturers; commercial airlines; corporate and regional operators; public utilities; independent power producers; pipeline operators; and on- and off-shore oil producers, to name a few.

4. As the world leader in military transport aircraft, Rolls-Royce provides the engine for the new C-27J, C-130J and V-22 Osprey and powers more than 2,800 fixed and rotary-wing aircraft currently in service with all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. These include such mission-critical aircraft as: the Global Hawk in service with the US Air Force; the AV-8B Harrier and V-22 Osprey with the US Marine Corps; the T-45 Goshawk and P-3 Orion with the US Navy; the OH-58 Kiowa and Kiowa Warrior and MH-6 Little Bird helicopters with the US Army; and C-130 Hercules transports with all branches.

5. Rolls-Royce is a key team member on the F-35 Lightning II – the world's largest ever fighter program. The company is providing the short take-off, vertical landing (STOVL) technology with the LiftFan(TM) system. Rolls-Royce is also partnered with General Electric for the development of the F136, an interchangeable engine for the F-35 Lightning II.

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