British Airways appoints Iain Burns Head of Corporate Communications

British Airways has appointed Iain Burns as its new Head of Corporate Communications. He will report to Martin George, the airline’s Director of Marketing and Communications.

The appointment represents a homecoming for Iain, who until his move to Bell Pottinger Consultants last year had spent three and a half years as head of the airline’s News Desk.

Martin George said: “Iain’s background and experience are exactly what we need given the extensive communications agenda that we have for the year ahead.”

Iain’s responsibilities at Bell Pottinger included heading the European and North American account for Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline.

Before his first spell at British Airways, Iain, 42, was UK PR manager for American Airlines. He has also held similar roles for BAA Heathrow and Manchester Airport. He has also held media relations positions at British Nuclear Fuels and Racal Electronics.

Iain said: “I’ve enjoyed a wonderful time and learned a lot at Bell Pottinger – a great consultancy with super people – but the role at British Airways is a dream ticket. The Communications team is extremely impressive and I’m looking forward with relish to working with them on a wide range of external and internal challenges.”

It is anticipated Iain will take up his new role in late September.