madcomments

Brain drain for BA

Posted in Marketing, Branwell Johnson, Latest reporters' blogs June 19th, 2008 by Branwell Johnson

British Airways’ head of marketing and sales Tiffany Hall is leaving after nearly 20 years and her departure adds to the sense that experience is draining away from the BA cockpit.

Last year long-serving marketer Jayne O’Brien (17 years at BA), who worked closely with BA’s agencies and was involved with the pitch that saw BBH take up the reins from M&C Saatchi, left.

Hall held a number of positions and was also a good communicator and ambassador. I once saw her bravely take the platform in front of an ABTA conference of travel agents who were at that time furious at BA cutting their commission of flight sales. She gave as good as she got without losing dignity or composure

Others have departed under slightly more of a cloud. Commercial director and one-time marketing director Martin George (19 years at BA) took a leave of absence and then stepped down after the fuel surcharge cartel accusations of 2006, although there was no suggestion he was directly involved. Head of communications Iain Burns also stepped down.

Following the recent debacle at the opening of Heathrow Terminal 5 operations director Gareth Kirkwood and customer services director David Noyes both left.

Most of those who have left served under Rod Eddington before the arrival of Willie Walsh. There’s nothing wrong with change, fresh eyes and new blood and BA has a vast pool of talent to draw upon. But for a company to lose so many individuals of such seniority and experience must raise some questions about continuity and leave serious gaps in the leadership team. Mustn’t it?

To read the related news story visit mad.co.uk