Calian Group says CEO Kevin Ford to retire at end of the year

Members of the Canadian Armed Forces conduct maintenance on their tanks at the Ādaži Military base in Ādaži, Latvia, on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

OTTAWA — Defence contractor Calian Group Ltd. says chief executive Kevin Ford will retire at the end of this year.

The company says he will be succeeded in the top job by Patrick Houston, Calian’s chief financial officer and chief development officer, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Ford served 10 years as Calian’s CEO and 15 years with the company.

Calian board chair George Weber says Calian experienced a decade of transformation and record growth under Ford’s leadership.

The company says Houston joined Calian in 2019 and led 15 strategic acquisitions that have helped grow the business and its international expansion.

Before joining Calian, Houston held senior roles at DragonWave, CanvasPop and Corsa Security.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 7, 2025.