British Airways has announced the appointment of Richard Tams, currently head of UK& Ireland sales and marketing, as executive vice president China and the Philippines for the airline.

The new role will include representing British Airways and parent company, International Airlines Group, in China.

Tams will work closely with colleagues in the region, as well as with the local authorities and key influencers in the Chinese market.

Drew Crawley, British Airways’ chief commercial officer said: “This appointment reflects the importance of this hugely strategic market for British Airways and marks the start of further investment in the region.

“He has done a fantastic job generating business and driving leisure sales with his team in the airline’s biggest market, here in the UK and Europe.

I have every confidence he will bring that same energy and enthusiasm to develop our presence in China and the Philippines.”

Since he began his career with British Airways as a graduate trainee 23 years ago, Richard has worked in a variety of operational and commercial roles across both the passenger and cargo divisions of the business and in a number of markets across the world.

These markets include South Korea, the USA, Canada, Scandinavia, the Netherlands and the Baltic states.

In January 2009, he was appointed Head of UK& Ireland sales and marketing, and became responsible for BA and Iberia’s relationships with its UK and Global corporate customers, travel management companies and partner leisure agents and tour operators.