David was appointed Brunswick’s chief executive officer and non-independent 
director in January 2019.  
	
Mr. Foulkes had served as president - Brunswick marine consumer solutions, 
as well as retaining his role as Brunswick’s chief technology officer (CTO).  
	
In that most recent position, Mr. Foulkes had responsibility for the Brunswick 
Boat Group, NAUTIC-ON, Brunswick Marine Services, the Brunswick i-JET 
Innovation Lab at the University of Illinois Research Park, and Brunswick’s 
Advanced Design Methods.
	
Mr. Foulkes joined Brunswick in 2007 and for ten years he was head of product 
development at Mercury Marine, during which time he led the development of 
Mercury’s line-up of market-leading outboard engines, including the recently 
introduced V-6 and V-8 outboard engines and advanced vessel controls, as well as 
the new MerCruiser gasoline and diesel inboard/sterndrive engines.  
	
Since 2012, Mr. Foulkes has also had responsibility for Mercury Racing, and 
for the past five years worked closely with the Mercury Racing leadership team to 
significantly grow the business and introduce an unprecedented range of new high-
performance Racing outboard and sterndrive products. 
	
In his role as Brunswick’s CTO, Mr. Foulkes has overseen the launch of NAUTIC-
ON and Brunswick’s i-JET Innovation Lab at the University of Illinois. He also 
championed the effort to form Brunswick’s joint-venture with TechNexus to develop 
a portfolio of investments in start-up companies, and a separate effort to introduce 
a new Design Thinking initiative to the Company 
	
Previously, Mr. Foulkes had spent 18 years with Ford Motor Company in a series 
of assignments of progressing responsibilities. He previously also worked with 
Shell Exploration and the Ministry of Defense, both in the United Kingdom. He has 
a bachelor’s degree in aeronautics and a master’s degree in structural and fluid 
mechanics from Imperial College in London. Mr. Foulkes serves as a trustee for 
Shedd Aquarium and is a Director on the Board of Vontier. 
Keynote Speaker: David M. Foulkes
Chief Executive Officer and Director, Brunswick Corporation
OUR SPEAKERS
10  ILLINOIS BUSINESS LEADER

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