Monday, December 17, 2007
Artilium Board Chairman Richard Hooper Appointed Chair of Government Postal Review
Government to review Postal Services Sector
London, 17 December /PRNewswire-GNN/—
DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM News Release
(2007/136) issued by The Government News Network on 17 December 2007
Secretary of State for Business, John Hutton, today announced a comprehensive review of developments in the postal services market since its liberalization two years ago.
Mr Hutton today appointed Richard Hooper, Deirdre Hutton and Ian Smith to carry out the review which will report in the summer next year.
John Hutton said:
“We are committed to maintaining a universal postal service that meets the changing needs of consumers and businesses.
“We believe that opening the market has brought considerable benefits for users of postal services but there can be no doubt that the market has evolved, with new technologies such as email and text messaging having a huge effect on the way we communicate.
“In the light of these market developments we are launching a review to examine the impacts of liberalisation of the UK postal services, trends in future market development and the likely impact of this on Royal Mail, alternative carriers and consumers.”
Richard Hooper, who will chair the Review said:
“I welcome the opportunity to lead this Review. Postal services in the UK are steeped in history and remain an important part of the UK’s national infrastructure. There have been rapid developments in recent years and it is clear that this is a good time to look at these developments and future trends”.
The Review will consider how the universal postal service can be maintained in an increasingly competitive market. The independent panel will undertake a thorough analysis of the effects of all the changes in the sector, and identify future likely trends and their implications.
The provision of a universal postal service at affordable prices, which was enshrined in legislation in 2000, remains the top priority for the Government.
The Review will take evidence from all interested parties including Royal Mail, Postcomm, Postwatch, the CWU, UNITE, other licensed postal operators, the National Federation of SubPostmasters and customer representatives such as the Federation of Small Businesses. A general call for evidence for the Review has been issued so that the Review Panel’s analysis of the market can take into account the views of the widest possible range of interests.
Notes to Editors
1. The review’s terms of reference are:
* To assess the impacts to date of liberalisation of the UK postal services market, including on the Royal Mail, alternative carriers and consumers.
* To explore trends in future market development and the likely impact of these on Royal Mail, alternative carriers and consumers
* To consider how to maintain the USO in the light of trends and market developments identified.
2. Panel members biographies
Richard Hooper CBE was Deputy Chairman of the Office of Communications (Ofcom) between 2002 and 2005. He stood down as Chairman of Informa plc in May 2007. He is currently Chairman of Artilium plc and a non-executive Director at YELL Group plc. He was Chairman of the Radio Authority for 3 years until 2003. Previous directorships include non executive director of MAI plc (1993 to 1996), non executive director of United News & Media (1996 to 1997), non executive director of Superscape plc (2000 to 2002) and non executive Chairman of IMS Group plc (1997 to 2002). He was also Director, Prestel, at Post Office Telecommunications between 1980-81 and Chief Executive Value Added Systems and Services, BT (1982-86).
Dame Deirdre Hutton was appointed Chair of the Food Standards Agency in 2005. She has served on a number of public bodies and has considerable experience of corporate governance, risk-based regulation and consumer policy. She was a Board member, including Deputy Chair, of the Financial Services Authority between 1997 and 2007. For five years she was Chair of the National Consumer Council, having formerly chaired the Scottish Consumer Council. Prior to her appointment at the Food Standards Agency, she was a member of the Better Regulation Task Force since1999.
Ian Smith was Chief Executive of Taylor Woodrow prior to its merger with George Wimpey. He was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the General Healthcare Group in September 2004 and was previously CEO, Europe for Exel, Group Commercial Director of Ocean Group (before its merger with NFC to form Exel) and prior to that, Managing Director of Monitor Company Europe, a strategy consulting firm. Ian began his business career with the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of companies working with them for 10 years mainly in the Middle East. He has undertaken some ad hoc advisory work to Government on industrial policy. He is a non-executive Director of Galiform (which owns MFI).
3. In his statement to Parliament, the Secretary of State issued a call for evidence from interested parties. The closure date is 28 March 2008. More details are available on the BERR website
(http://www.berr.gov.uk/sectors/postalservices/index.html).
4. Allan Leighton, Chairman of Royal Mail, will stay on in his role for an additional 12 months, to March 2009. The extension has been approved by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA). His remuneration will remain unchanged at £20k basic salary.