Reporting to the marketing director, Alexandra Lewis, also a former Sky marketer, Gilshan will help in the newspaper's branding, working to drive loyalty and attract new customers to the paper and its affiliated products.

Gilshan previously worked with BSkyB as head of marketing for Sky Movies, Sky Box Office and Sky Real Lives. He was also responsible for the media output of all Sky Networks Channels.

As an Associate Director at OMDUK, Gilshan worked on the relaunch of Sky Movies in 2007.

News International is expected to introduce some paid-for online content for The Times brand this year, which recorded an 8.75% drop in average net circulation for the period July to December last year, according to ABC.