Heathrow Express has appointed Mark Eastwood as its commercial strategy lead.

Eastwood, who will take up the role in March, has been with the train service since 2018?as business development manager.

The new role will see him lead the creation and implementation of the company¡¯s commercial vision and have responsibility for technology, ticketing pricing strategy, marketing and PR and sales and distribution.

As business development manager, East was credited with implementing new distribution strategies for Heathrow Express and increasing access to the service globally through distribution partners and aggregators.

Prior to joining the company, he worked at BA-parent International Airlines Group and held roles at Avios and Virgin Atlantic.

Sophie Chapman, business lead, Heathrow Express, said: "Mark?has already made a great contribution to Heathrow Express¡¯ commercial success developing strategic partners for the business across travel, tech and rail. I look forward to welcoming him to the leadership team and working together to deliver our commercial strategy and continuing Heathrow Express¡¯ successful recovery post-Covid."

Eastwood said: "As the travel industry recovers, this is a great time to be drawing attention to the fantastic service Heathrow Express provides. It is fast, convenient, and an environmentally responsible way to transfer between London and Heathrow Airport. I am excited by the challenge of further developing new global partnerships, whilst developing and implementing propositions the post-pandemic passenger expects."

He replaces Karan Suri who has left the rail industry.