Government call up for BA's chief economist

The crystal-ball gazing abilities of British Airways chief economist, Dr Andrew Sentance, have been recognised by none other than Gordon Brown, the UK government's finance chief and possible prime minister in waiting. Brown has appointed Sentence to the Bank of England's , which sets interest rates in the UK, and is packed with some of the country's foremost economic experts.

Dr Sentance joined BA in 1998 from the London Business School where he was director of the centre for economic forecasting. As the carrier's chief economist he advises BA on global economic developments, corporate strategy and regulatory issues. He was one of the architects of the carrier's "Future, Size and Shape" turnaround plan in 2001 which "restored BA's profitability after the 9/11 terrorist attacks", said the carrier.