1 June 2004

RE-APPOINTMENT TO THE POSTAL SERVICES COMMISSION (POSTCOMM)

P/2004/206

Trade & Industry Secretary, Patricia Hewitt today announced the re-appointment of Tony Cooper, as a member of the Postal Services Commission (Postcomm).

Patricia Hewitt said:
"I am grateful to Tony for his hard work since joining Postcomm in June 2000 and I am delighted that he has agreed to remain with the Commission for a further three years."

Notes to Editors

1. This is a public appointment, made in accordance with guidance issued by the Office of the Commissioner of Public Appointments.

2. Postcomm - the Postal Services Commission - is an independent regulator, set up by the Postal Services Act 2000. It is responsible for ensuring that a universal postal service is maintained, while promoting appropriate and effective competition, between postal operators, in the interests of consumers.

3. Appointed Commissioners are independent non-executives with a duty to serve the interests of the Commission as a whole, working under the leadership of the Chair, Nigel Stapleton. Members of the Commission jointly ensure, through setting policy and by oversight of the executive management by the Chief Executive, Martin Stanley, that Postcomm discharges its responsibilities effectively and efficiently.

4. This re-appointment continues to be part-time, based on an average of 40 working days per year. The appointment is for three years, effective from 1 June 2004, and receives a remuneration of £16,036 per annum.

5. Tony Cooper currently holds a number of posts in the public and private sectors. He works as a consultant on industrial relations and public affairs and is Chairman of the Nuclear Industries Association. In the public sector his involvement includes being a member of the DTI's Strategy Board and non-executive commissioner for England at the Forestry Commission. Until his retirement in 2002, Tony was Joint General Secretary of Prospect. He was also a member of the TUC General Council for four years.

6. Tony Cooper has not undertaken any political activity in the past 5 years.

7. urrent Commissioner Ken Olisa has decided to step down from the Commission at the end of his tenure on 31 May 2004.

8. The Commission's members are:

Chairman:
Nigel Stapleton

Commissioners:
Robin Aaronson
Simone Bos
Tony Cooper
Julia Kaufmann
Janet Lewis-Jones

Chief Executive:
Martin Stanley (also a Commissioner)


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