International Distributions Services has today named Heathrow executive Emma Gilthorpe as the new CEO of its Royal Mail business.
Emma Gilthorpe, currently chief operating officer at Heathrow airport, will join Royal Mail from May 1.
Heathrow's chief financial officer Javier Echave will replace Gilthorpe, the airport operator said.
Ms Gilthorpe will be tasked with turning around loss-making Royal Mail that has been grappling with sliding letter volumes and trying to regain market share, while improving relations with the postal and delivery company's largest labour union.
The previous CEO of Royal Mail, Simon Thompson, stepped down last year after his tenure was marked by a lengthy pay dispute with the company's labour union - Communication Workers Union.
Martin Seidenberg, who will continue as interim CEO of Royal Mail until Gilthorpe joins the group, took over as IDS chief executive last year.
