BA promotes senior marketer to develop product ideas

British Airways has appointed a senior marketer with responsibility for marketing financial services, insurance, car hire, hotels and telecoms products to the airline’s executive passenger class.

Mary Thomas, who was most recently in charge of BA’s shorthaul brands and oversaw the £50m relaunch of Club Europe, has been promoted to general manager for commercial partners.

Thomas, who joined BA in 1988, will report to director of marketing Martin George. Her brief will include developing new product ideas to extend the range of services to BA’s frequent flyers of the Executive Club.

George says: “Thomas will look after our relationships with our preferred commercial partners, including Avis car rental and Marriott Hotels, and will work with our financial partners, such as NatWest and TravelEx. The role involves giving frequent flyers, who also use our partners, the benefit of new products and services, such as Air Miles schemes.”

Thomas takes over from Robert Falkner, who is leaving BA after 17 years to become director of finance at On Line Travel Corporation, a travel service aimed at travel industry staff.