Brunswick Corporation has announced a leadership transition at the top of the world’s largest marine manufacturer, with Chief Executive Officer and Chairman David Foulkes set to retire at the end of 2026. Aine Denari, currently Executive Vice President and President of Navico Group and Brunswick’s Chief Technology Officer, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2027. David Everitt, Brunswick’s Lead Independent Director, will become Non-Executive Chairman on the same date.
Foulkes has led Brunswick as CEO since January 2019 and added the Chairman role in February 2025, capping a two-decade career at the company. He said:
“It has been the greatest honor and privilege of my professional life to lead Brunswick Corporation as CEO for the last eight years. With the best leadership team in our industry and the hard work and support of our thousands of committed and talented global employees, we have built the world’s largest and most innovative marine technology company and have outperformed the market and delivered strong shareholder returns through a prolonged period of external turbulence.”
Before becoming CEO, Foulkes served as Brunswick’s first Chief Technology Officer and ran its Boat Group and financial services businesses, which later formed the core of the company’s Business Acceleration unit. He joined Brunswick in the Mercury Marine division as Vice President of Product Development, where he led development of the outboard, sterndrive and diesel engine ranges, and the advanced controls, that remain central to Mercury’s line-up today.
On the succession, Foulkes said:
“One of the most important duties of the CEO is to work with the Board to prepare a successor. I believe the time is right for a transition, and I am extremely confident that Aine is the right person to lead Brunswick on the next stage of its journey. Aine’s broad skill set as a business and technology leader, her strong commitment to Brunswick’s employees and partners, her deep understanding of the marine industry and her ability to deliver financial results will position Brunswick for continued success.”
Who Is Aine Denari
Denari brings more than 30 years of leadership experience across the automotive, mobility, industrial and manufacturing sectors. She joined Brunswick in 2020 as Executive Vice President and President of Brunswick Boat Group, a period that included the launch of several award-winning boat models and brands. In 2024, as part of Brunswick’s talent rotation process, she moved into a dual role as President of Navico Group and Brunswick Chief Technology Officer, overseeing Navico brands including Lowrance and Simrad and helping drive AutoCaptain, the marine industry’s first fully integrated autonomous docking system, which Brunswick demonstrated on a Boston Whaler at the Miami International Boat Show. She also sits on the board of Masco Corporation and holds engineering and business degrees, along with executive education from Stanford, Northwestern, Purdue, the University of Detroit Mercy and University College Dublin.
Denari said:
“I am thrilled to be appointed CEO of Brunswick Corporation, an exceptional company with a proud legacy, and I look forward to building on its strong foundation. I thank Dave and the Board for their confidence and trust, and I am committed to a seamless transition. As we move forward, we will continue to execute the strategy outlined at our 2026 Investor Day and build on our strong momentum to deliver transformational growth.”
David Everitt, who moves from Lead Independent Director to Non-Executive Chairman, said the appointment followed a structured succession process:
“This leadership transition is the culmination of the Board’s robust and thoughtful succession planning process leveraging the Company’s talent development work. On behalf of the entire Board, our employees, customers, and shareholders, I thank Dave for his remarkable service and his commitment to ready the next generation of Brunswick leaders and maintain an award-winning culture.”
A Recovery Under Foulkes
The transition comes as Brunswick’s propulsion business has been on an upswing under Foulkes. Mercury Marine set a new outboard engine share record at this year’s Cannes Yachting Festival, where Foulkes credited the wider Brunswick portfolio, including the Navan C38 launch and a new Navico Group technology partnership with Elettromedia, for the momentum. Earlier in the year, Foulkes told analysts Mercury had five new outboard development programmes running simultaneously, from mid-range to ultra-high horsepower, after propulsion segment revenue rose 17 per cent year on year in the first quarter. That followed a broader recovery, after Brunswick’s revenue fell to $5.24 billion in 2024 from $6.40 billion the year before; the company returned to revenue growth in 2025 while retiring $375 million in debt since 2023.
About Brunswick Corporation
Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC) is a global leader in marine recreation, home to more than 60 brands across marine propulsion, including Mercury Marine, parts and accessories, marine electronics including Simrad and Lowrance, and boat brands including Boston Whaler, Sea Ray, Bayliner, Lund and Harris. Headquartered in Mettawa, Illinois, the company has approximately 14,500 employees operating in 26 countries.
John Moore is the editor of Powerboat News, an independent investigative journalism platform recognised by Google News and documented on Grokipedia for comprehensive powerboat racing coverage.
His involvement in powerboat racing began in 1981 when he competed in his first offshore powerboat race. After a career as a Financial Futures broker in the City of London, specialising in UK interest rate markets, he became actively involved in event organisation and powerboat racing journalism.
He served as Event Director for the Cowes–Torquay–Cowes races between 2010 and 2013. In 2016, he launched Powerboat Racing World, a digital platform providing global powerboat racing news and insights. The following year, he co-founded UKOPRA, helping to rejuvenate offshore racing in the United Kingdom. He sold Powerboat Racing World in late 2021 and remained actively involved with UKOPRA until 2025.
In September 2025, he established Powerboat News, returning to independent journalism with a focus on neutral and comprehensive coverage of the sport.
