Feb 13 (Reuters) - Aero engineer Rolls-Royce is set to announce on Thursday the departure of chairman Sir Simon Robertson and the appointment of his successor, Ian Davis, Sky News reported on Wednesday citing sources familiar with the move.

Davis, who sits on the board of BP, will take over from Robertson after the company's annual meeting in May.

Sky News reported that Davis, a former McKinsey partner, had been in job talks with Rolls Royce for several months.

Davis is well known to Rolls Royce board member Iain Conn, who led the search for a successor to Sir Simon Robertson, the daily reported.

Conn also head BP's refining and marketing operation.

Davis' appointment is expected along with the British aerospace and defence group's reporting its full-year results on Thursday.

(Reporting by Karen Rebelo in Bangalore; editing by Gunna Dickson) Keywords: ROLLSROYCE CHAIRMAN/

(karen.rebelo@thomsonreuters.com)(within UK +44 20 7542 1810)(outside UK +91 80 4135 6102)(Reuters Messaging: karen.rebelo.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)

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