Investors doubt if Rolls-Royce can meet ambitious goals

London

ROLLS-ROYCE boss Warren East has rebuilt confidence in the British engine-maker, but there are doubts among investors and industry specialists about whether his slimmed-down group has the muscle to meet ambitious production and development goals.

The CEO has axed more than 600 management jobs and sought to reduce production times and costs since taking the helm last July, as part of a drive to increase efficiency at a company traditionally viewed as a symbol of British engineering might.