BA appoints Budgen to fill global comms post

British Airways has named David Budgen as head of

international communications, replacing Michael Blunt, who has

moved to fill the vacancy left by Peter Jones.

Budgen joins BA’s Heathrow-based communications team from Gatwick

Airport where he has been communications manager for the airline

since 1992. As well as handling PR for BA’s activities at

Gatwick, Budgen also worked on behalf of British Airways

Holidays.

In his new role Budgen will oversee the activities of BA’s

communications staff in the US, Europe and other key markets. He

will also have responsibility for co-ordinating 53 PR agencies

worldwide. He reports to director of corporate affairs Kevin

Murray.

The international communications job fell vacant in January after

previous incumbent Michael Blunt switched to the post of head of

corporate communications (PR Week, 24 January). He in turn

replaced Peter Jones who resigned after just two months in the

role. Jones was previously acting director of public affairs for

BA but ceded that role to Kevin Murray last July.

BA has recruited four other managers to its communications team.

Alison Dewar and Yolanda Foster join the international division

while Jamie Bowden and David Hedges join the corporate

communications team.