NEWS: BAA hires Fallon for political job

Des Wilson, director of corporate communications at airport operator BAA, has recruited Tim Fallon from Lowe Bell Political as his government relations manager. Fallon, 25, who joined Lowe Bell a year ago from the House of Commons where he worked as a researcher, replaces BAA’s outgoing head of government affairs Chris Davies, who joins Bristol Myers Squibb. Both moves take effect in January. The change in title for the post is more a reflection of Fallon’s relative youth than any intention to downgrade the government relations function within the company. Fallon will bring close Labour Party links to his new job having worked with John Prescott at the Commons. However, Wilson said: ‘While Tim’s connections with Labour are helpful, these were not crucial to our decision. Tim will be working across the whole political spectrum. He has been chosen above all because of his talent and political instincts.’ In a separate move, BAA’s head of media, Steven Olivant has been promoted to assistant director of corporate affairs and Abigail Rowland joins from Heathrow Airport as production manager.