New national chair for Postwatch
Secretary of State for Trade & Industry, Alan Johnson, has appointed Urmila Banerjee as the new National Chair of The Consumer Council for Postal Services.
Urmila (Millie) Banerjee CBE is a Non-Executive Director on the Board of the communications regulator Ofcom and a Member of the Strategy Board of the Cabinet Office. She will take up her post as Postwatch Chair on 1 December 2005.
Welcoming her appointment Alan Johnson said:
“I am delighted that Urmila Banerjee has agreed to be the new Postwatch Chair. She brings considerable experience to the role at a time of significant change within postal services and consumer representation. I am sure she will make a valuable contribution in shaping the strategic direction of Postwatch and their ongoing work in support of postal users.”
The Secretary of State also paid tribute to the outgoing Chair, Peter Carr.
He said:
“Peter was Postwatch's first Chair and presided over its creation and establishment as a credible and effective consumer watchdog during a period of unprecedented change in the sector. His hard work and commitment is greatly appreciated.” Ms Banerjee, a former Director at BT and Chief Operating Officer of ICO Global Communications from 1995-2000, said:
“Postal services are of great importance to every household and business in the UK. Effective operations and effective regulation are critical to ensure customers' needs are met. I look forward to the challenge of representing the consumer interest as these services evolve.”
Notes to Editors
1. In addition to the positions already mentioned, Ms Banerjee was also a Non-Executive Director of the Strategic Rail Authority from 2002 to 2005; a Member of the Sector Skill Development Agency from 2002 to 2004, on the Board of Channel 4 from 2000 to 2002 and on the Prisons Board from 1990 to 1995.
2. The national Chair for Postwatch is a part-time appointment for a term of three years. The remuneration is £46,000 per annum plus any appropriate allowances, based on 125 days a year.
3. This OCPA regulated appointment has been made by the Department of Trade and Industry.
4. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees' political activity (if any declared) to be made public. Ms Banerjee has not undertaken any political activity in the past five years.
5. Current Ministerial Public Appointments:
* Member of Ofcom (since September 2002): remuneration of £44,000 per annum
* Member of the Cabinet Office Strategy Board (since August 2004): remuneration of £14,000 per annum (stepping down December 2005)
* Commissioner for Judicial Appointments (since March 2001) up to 30 days per year at £300 per day (stepping down March 2006).
6. The Consumer Council for Postal Services (Postwatch) was established on 1 January 2001, replacing the Post Office Users National Council (POUNC). Its headquarters is located in central London; it has nine regional offices throughout the UK. Postwatch's objectives are to “protect, promote and develop the interests of all consumers of UK postal services“.
7. The current Postwatch Council membership is:
Peter Carr – Chairman (until 30 November 2005)
Tom Begg – Regional Chair, Scotland
Kay Dixon – Regional Chair, Greater London
David Bland – Regional Chair, South East England
Charles Howeson – Regional Chair, South West England
Richard Ward – Regional Chair, Midlands
Charles Winstanley – Regional Chair, East England
Judith Donovan – Regional Chair, North England
Eifon Pritchard – Regional Chair, Wales
John Stringer – Regional Chair, Northern Ireland
Diane Bailey – Council Member
Helen Charlton – Council Member
Moi Ali – Council Member
Clara Arokiasamy – Council Member
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