Ofcom restructuring

Ofcom have confirmed details of an organisational restructuring. This is intended to increase Ofcom's operating effectiveness, build on the past two years of post-merger efficiencies (including a 32% reduction in headcount and an 8% reduction in operating budget in real terms for 2005/6) and to anticipate the regulatory needs of the communications sector over the next 3-5 years.

To support this, Ofcom has made the following changes in Executive responsibilities:

Peter Ingram - Ofcom's Chief Technology Officer - will lead the Technology and Spectrum Operations Group. He will be responsible for technology input into policy development, advise on the impact of emerging technology on the communications sector and oversee technology research and development. He will also be responsible for Information Services strategy, Ofcom's Field Operations team and the Ofcom Contact Centre.

Kip Meek - Ofcom's Chief Policy Partner - takes a leading role in developing Ofcom's international strategy. Now also Chairman-Elect of the European Regulators' Group (ERG), Kip Meek will oversee Ofcom's engagement with key European and international decision-making bodies. This will include Ofcom's participation in the review of the EU Television Without Frontiers Directive, review of the EU Telecommunications Framework and the international Regional Radio Conference in 2006. He will also be responsible for the Ofcom Content & Standards Group, which now includes the radio licensing team to bring greater integration between the licence award process, format regulation and Broadcasting Code compliance. He is also responsible for Ofcom's Legal Group.

Ed Richards becomes Ofcom's Chief Operating Officer, with immediate effect. In this role he will integrate strategy, economic analysis, consumer policy, market research and business planning with financial, resource and people management. He will also oversee the Secretariat and Ofcom's role in the Nations and Regions.

Philip Rutnam becomes Ofcom's Partner, Spectrum. In this role he will lead the Spectrum Policy Group, responsible for spectrum management across all sectors, spectrum policy and spectrum deregulation.

Sean Williams becomes Ofcom's Partner, Competition. In this role he will lead the Competition Group, responsible for all competition policy and economic regulation in the telecoms and broadcasting sectors, including investigations, numbering and regulatory finance.

All five will report directly to Ofcom Chief Executive Stephen Carter.

Stephen Carter said: "These changes represent the strength in depth we have in the senior team."

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