BA director Walker resigns

One of British Airways’ senior directors, Mervyn Walker, has reportedly resigned after some 18 years with the company – but has denied that his departure is linked to turmoil at the company over the summer. Walker, who joined BA in 1986, reportedly resigned as director of customer service and operations 11 days ago. According to The Independent newspaper, a BA memo to staff from fellow director Mike Street on 2 December stated: “Mervyn has been an important executive for BA in the past 18 years. He concluded several months ago that the time was right for him to move on from his current role and an pursue other career options.” However, the newspaper quotes “industry insiders” as saying that the resignation was linked to a perceived crisis on 23 August when 8,000 passengers were stranded at Heathrow because of cancelled flights due to a shortage of check-in staff. The Independent reports that Walker will remain as chairman of the trustees of the BA pension schemes until March. Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad Ltd