Britain’s BAE Systems yesterday said that Michael Chertoff, a Homeland Security Secretary during the Bush administration, has been named chairman of BAE Systems, Inc., the United States-based division of the multinational aerospace and defense company.

Chertoff, who is already a member of the board of directors of BAE Systems, Inc., will become chairman on May 1 for a three-year terms. He succeeds Anthony Zinni whose term ends this month. Zinni will remain an outside director on the board through April 2014.

Linda Hudson, president and CEO of BAE Systems, Inc., said the company looks forward to Chertoff’s expanded leadership role.

After leaving the Department of Homeland Security, Chertoff founded the security consulting firm The Chertoff Group.