BBC's Simon Lloyd Joins Virgin Atlantic

The BBC's former Director of Media Engagement, Marketing and Audiences Simon Lloyd has joined Virgin Atlantic as Marketing Director.

The move continues a string of changes in the Corporation's senior marketing and insight roles. In April, Rufus Weston left the role of Head of Digital Insight after a dozen years at the BBC, to join publisher Harper Collins; while Director of Marketing & Audiences Helen Normoyle left in May to become Chief Marketing Officer at furniture retailer DFS - she is replaced by former Diageo exec Philip Almond.

At the BBC, Lloyd's latest role included responsibility for the distribution of marketing content, strategic marketing and brand leadership of BBC Sport, 5Live and programming for children. Earlier in his three year stint at the Corp he ran marketing for the Future Media and Digital division, overseeing audience insight, strategic development and marketing for services such as BBC Online and BBC iPlayer. He worked previously in marketing and commercial roles at Palm, 118118 and Nokia.

Lloyd will start on July 10th and report to Chief Commercial Officer Julie Southern, who states: 'I am delighted to welcome Simon to this key position at Virgin Atlantic. I am confident that he will be able to build on our creative marketing strengths and take the airline forward.'

Virgin Atlantic's Sales and Marketing Director Paul Dickinson left six months ago to join auctioneers Christie's, and his role has now been split in two - a new Sales Director will also be recruited.