Ref: 04/00
Date: 2 February 2000

David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications, has appointed Chris Kenny to be Oftel’s new Director of Regulatory Policy. He succeeds Ann Taylor who is returning to the DTI after five and a half years.

Aged 36, Chris Kenny joins Oftel from the Department of Health where he has held a number of senior policy and operational positions including Principal Private Secretary to the Secretary of State and Head of Quality and Consumer Affairs for the NHS Executive. Mr Kenny has also worked on international finance issues at HM Treasury and at operational level in the NHS.

Commenting on the appointment, David Edmonds said:

"Chris Kenny will be joining Oftel at a very important time for the telecoms industry. E-commerce and the convergence of the broadcasting, telecommunications and IT industries are having a major impact on all our lives. Oftel needs to ensure that the regulatory environment will be appropriate for this dynamic sector and will continue to achieve the best deal for consumers. Chris Kenny is an experienced and talented policy manager who will bring valuable skills and perspectives to Oftel’s management team and to our regulatory work in particular."

Chris Kenny takes up his new post at Oftel on February 14^th. He was appointed following an open competition overseen by the Civil Service Commission.