Brunswick Corporation Will Appoint New CEO in 2027

The marine manufacturer will elevate Aine Denari to CEO as part of a planned leadership transition.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in People

Bold vector illustration of a marine boat propeller shaft, representing the industrial focus of a corporate leadership transition. — Brunswick Corporation announced that current executive Aine Denari will succeed David Foulkes as chief executive officer on January 1, 2027. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Brunswick Corporation CEO David Foulkes will retire at the end of 2026, closing an 8-year tenure leading the marine equipment manufacturer. Aine Denari will succeed him as CEO effective January 1, 2027.

Why it matters

The transition marks a significant shift for the company as it moves from the leadership of Foulkes, who joined the firm two decades ago, to Denari, the current EVP of Navico Group.

David Foulkes will conclude an 8-year run as CEO and a 20-year career at Brunswick, passing the role to Aine Denari. The board also appointed lead independent director David Everitt to serve as non-executive chairman.

The players

Brunswick Corporation

A major manufacturer of marine products, including boats and propulsion systems.

David Foulkes

The current CEO and chairman who has led the company since 2019.

Aine Denari

The current EVP and president of Navico Group who serves as the company's chief technology officer.

David Everitt

The current lead independent director who will transition to non-executive chairman.

The details

The Board of Directors selected Denari, who currently serves as Brunswick's chief technology officer, to lead the company into its next phase. She will assume the CEO role on January 1, 2027, working alongside Everitt, who will become non-executive chairman on the same date. The handover concludes a multi-year executive cycle under Foulkes, who has held the CEO title since January 2019 and the chairman role since February 2025.

• David Foulkes began his tenure as CEO in January 2019.
• David Foulkes became Chairman in February 2025.
• David Foulkes will retire from his position on December 31, 2026.
• Aine Denari will become CEO and David Everitt will become chair on January 1, 2027.

Market Landscape

The leadership change marks the end of the term established by the 2019 appointment of David Foulkes as Brunswick CEO. This move follows the pattern of long-term succession planning common among major manufacturing entities.

Operators in the marine sector should monitor the company's upcoming strategic messaging to identify shifts in technology investment priorities. With a chief technology officer stepping into the CEO role, focus on potential changes to internal R&D spending and product development timelines.

The takeaway

The appointment of a technology-focused CEO suggests that the marine industry will face continued pressure to integrate digital solutions into traditional hardware manufacturing. Business leaders should track incoming CEO appointments for clues on which technical capabilities will become the new competitive standard.