BAA announces new head of media

BAA has today announced that Andrew Teacher is to join the company as head of media relations from 1 September.

He joins from the British Property Federation (BPF) where he has worked for four years as the principal spokesman for the UK’s commercial real estate industry.

Teacher will report to BAA communications director Malcolm Robertson and will lead a team of three PROs, overseeing the airport operator’s media relations and financial communications across all major issues. Finsbury will continue as retained BAA’s financial PR agency.

Malcolm Robertson said: “This is an important position for BAA, and Heathrow in particular. I am delighted that Andy has chosen to join us, and look forward to working with him to change perceptions and better explain the challenges we face. Andy is clearly a talented media operator, who will strengthen the team and bring considerable drive and energy to our communications plans.”

Teacher became an established figure in property and the business media with numerous high profile media pushes at the BPF, which took in all forms of media.

The BPF’s campaign against empty property rates – which was backed by hundreds of big firms as well as key titles like the Daily Mail – was the first integrated online lobbying campaign of its kind, using the www.emptyrates.com website as a hub for media, politicians and PR professionals.

Teacher has also been closely involved on the political side of the lobbying body, advising on planning, sustainability and housing. With a raft of high profile media appearances including the Today Programme, Politics Show, Sky and BBC News along with all other major television news outlets, his multimedia expertise was a key factor in his recruitment.

Andrew Teacher said: “BAA will be an enormous challenge and I am delighted to have an opportunity to be part of it. There are many great stories at Heathrow and around the group and many great people within the organisation willing to tell them. I’m looking forward to getting under the skin of the company and building on the team’s proactive strategy.

“Heathrow will always be on the frontline and I’m sure my notoriously thick skin will come in handy. But BAA under Colin Matthews is delivering real change and our task is to prove this to people by being more open, more transparent and engaging with the media however difficult the issue.”