Airbus owner EADS has announced the replacement for its chief executive Louis Gallois and expressed regret that no women have made it into the board room.

The firm, which has factories across Europe including Filton in Bristol, said its board of directors met yesterday and released a statement confirming that when Mr Gallois's tenure is up he will be replaced by Tom Enders.

Arnaud Lagardère will assume the role of chairman of the board presently held by Bodo Uebber.

The change-over will take place after the company's Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 31 May, 2012 and the new positions carry five-year terms.

Sir John Parker, chairman of the remuneration and nomination committee for the company, said: "It was with great satisfaction that through our succession planning process we have found such a wealth and breadth of talents inside EADS.

"We chose the right person for each of the open positions, to rise to the upcoming strategic challenges facing this group, and maintain its hard earned leadership positions.

"It is regrettable that this generation of management could not yet incorporate female appointments, but I feel comforted that the next wave is showing some very promising prospective candidates for subsequent rounds of succession."

Mr Uebber said: "Having clarity about the board and management positions enables EADS to build a bright future for the long term on solid foundations.

"I know that my successor Arnaud Lagardère and all of us share the same strong interest and ambitions for EADS."

Mr Gallois said: "The management is grateful that the board has taken these wide-ranging decisions, in a dispassionate climate, and timely to facilitate a professional transition. Tom Enders not only has a wide range of experience across our businesses, but strong leadership skills and charisma with an established track record.

"I am sure that he will extend his vision for EADS in the best interest of all its stakeholders and in particular of the great community of employees working together across our nations."

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2010, the group – comprising Airbus, Astrium, Cassidian and Eurocopter – generated revenues of euro45.8 billion and employed a workforce of nearly 122,000.