While Walsh has already started work, the DMA is still looking for candidates for the more senior role of director of media channel development, to whom Walsh will report.
The two roles were created to replace the single role of director of industry development and postal affairs, left vacant when David Robottom left in October to set up his own consultancy. The division recognised the increased importance of channels other than mail in the industry.
James Kelly, DMA managing director, said: "Alex brings a wealth of knowledge of the whole postal industry. He understands all the issues we are concerned with as an association and the role that we play."
Walsh started his career as a direct marketing agency account manager, going on to spend 10 years at Royal Mail. Initially marketing postcode data, he progressed to monitoring legislative development affecting direct marketing and developing sales promotions for business customers.
He spent two-and-a-half years in his most recent role as head of mailing agencies and trade associations.
"Having worked with the DMA for at least the last five years I can't pretend we have always seen eye to eye but I have always respected them and their point of view," he said.
Explaining his reasons for joining the DMA, he said he wanted to change people's views and looked forward to helping DMA members to negotiate the great changes under way in the postal industry and raising awareness in the industry of environmental responsibilities and quality standards.
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