Gatwick Express takes on marketing team

National Express has put in place a team to run the privatised Gatwick Express franchise, which it won last month after a pitch against Virgin.

It has hired transport consultant Mack Mackintosh as managing director of the service and brought in Derek Brickell, head of marketing at East Midlands Airport, as marketing director. Brickell replaces former Gatwick Express commercial director Neil Atkins, who has left the company along with other senior managers.

National Express won the pitch for Gatwick Express, which runs a non-stop service between the airport and Victoria Station, against Virgin and a management buy-out.

The service, which was British Rail’s only profitable train franchise – making about 4m a year – will be run by National Express on a 15-year contract.

National Express plans to replace rolling stock and test an all-night service.

Brickell says he has been seconded from East Midlands to launch “a range of marketing initiatives,” which could include cut-price deals. He says it is likely that Gatwick Express will be looking for an advertising agency for some of the projects.