Mike Brown already has an award for chivalry. But if the new managing director of Heathrow makes the airport run more smoothly, he will deserve another medal.

Mr Brown was appointed a member of the Royal Victorian Order by the Queen six years ago for co-ordinating public transport for her Golden Jubilee celebrations.

The Tube ran all night for only the third time in its history to ferry home the crowds that had gathered in the capital.

At Heathrow travellers will probably be happy if they do not have to queue all night and if their luggage stands a good chance of going with them.

His departure is being viewed as a loss for London Underground - and for Boris Johnson, as the new Mayor makes improving transport one of his key priorities.

Mr Brown has even won plaudits from some traditional adversaries. Steve Grant, London officer for Aslef, the train drivers' union, said: “It will be a loss to the Underground and a gain for Heathrow. We have always found him open and honest.”

The Belfast-born Mr Brown, 44, has spent most of his working life at London Underground - 18 years - after taking a degree in economics and then an MBA at Queen's University.

He has run Baker Street underground station, he has worked in train maintenance and has also managed the Metropolitan and Circle lines.

Importantly for the man who is to run Heathrow, he has also worked in customer service. Before becoming chief operating officer five years ago, the No2 job to Tim O'Toole, the managing director, Mr Brown was customer services director.

And he also has experience of big passenger numbers. The Underground carries nearly four million people every day and employs 12,500 staff.

Mr Brown is married with a son and lives in southwest London. He ranks his interests as family, friends and going to the gym, when time allows. Time may not allow very many visits to the gym from September, when he will take over at the world's busiest international airport.

And the first task for the newcomer will be overseeing the final transfer of all operations to Terminal 5, seven months after it opened so disastrously.