Logica boss in running for BA job

LOGICA boss Dr Martin Read has emerged as a new rival to Martin Broughton to take over from Lord Marshall as British Airway's next chairman.

Broughton, executive chairman of British American Tobacco and BA's senior non-independent director, is still said to be the front-runner for the post, expected to fall vacant in two years' time.

But Read, chief executive of computer services group Logica and a BA non-executive, is 'a distinct possibility' for the job, according to sources. Read is understood to have been approached after Broughton indicated he was committed to BAT for some years. BA refused to comment.