Rising to the IT challenge

British Airways has appointed two senior managers to head its new-look Information Management (Im) Department.

The Im Department - the airline’s IT centre of expertise - was restructured in October with the creation of two divisions to look after operational and strategic IT issues.

Peter Radcliffe has been appointed Im Operations Director while Paul Coby has been named as Chief Information Officer responsible for strategic matters.

Both will report to Colin Matthews, BA’s Director of Technical Operations.

Peter Radcliffe joined British Airways as a computer trainee in 1974 and has held a number of key IT positions in the company in many different areas and with two foreign assignments. These positions have included General Manager Im Corporate and most recently, General Manager Central Services.

Peter has considerable experience of running successful IT. He has successfully managed and completed a number of major projects ranging from large software implementations through to process re-engineering and organisational change.

Paul Coby came to the airline in 1996 following a secondment from the Department of Transport. He has led a variety of strategic projects for the Im department and has been instrumental in developing the IT strategy in relation to BA’s alliance activities.

Paul's role will focus on developing and driving the IT strategy for the Company and ensuring BA exploits the opportunities technology presents.

Welcoming the appointments, Colin Matthews said: "The Im department plays a critical role in providing BA with the systems and infrastructure to not only maximise our operational performance, but also provide a competitive advantage in every area of our business.

"Given this challenge, BA will be placing greater focus on the role IT plays on the Company’s strategic direction, whilst not compromising on operational delivery. This will be achieved through our re-organisation of the Im Department to provide specific focus on these two activities."

The Strategic division will be responsible for setting the IT direction for the company whilst the Operational Division will be responsible for all other functions.