Peter Edwards, president of Bombardier Business Aircraft, is to step down with immediate effect after 10 years with the firm. Edwards joined the company in 1995 and served as vp of marketing and international sales and executive vp of sales for the business aircraft division.

Bombardier could not comment on why Edwards left the company. A spokesman commented only that he had left ‘to pursue other interests.’

Pierre Beaudoin, president and ceo of the company’s aerospace division, will lead Bombardier’s Business Aircraft unit until a new president is appointed.

Edwards’ exit comes nine months after the departure of former Bombardier president and ceo Paul Tellier. Senior vp of public affairs William Fox and senior vp of operational effectiveness Moya Green also left the company during the past few months.

Some observers have suggested that the changes signify a tightening of control by the Bombardier family. Laurent Beaudoin, whose family controls the majority of the company’s voting shares, heads a three-person office of the president, which he set up with his son Pierre Beaudoin and Andre Navarri, president of Bombardier’s rail division.