Postcomm welcomes new chairman

5 November 2003

Postcomm Chairman Graham Corbett today welcomed the appointment of Nigel Stapleton as the next chairman of Postcomm.

He said:
“Mr Stapleton joins Postcomm at an important time.  We have, in principle, opened the UK postal market to competition.  We now need to tackle various barriers to market entry so that the market becomes open in practice.  I therefore welcome the appointment of a successor with Nigel’s energy and broad experience and am sure that he will bring some fresh perspectives to our work.”

Mr Stapleton said:
“Graham Corbett and his fellow commissioners have laid the foundations of a competitive and efficient postal service. Under Graham’s leadership, Postcomm has set the timetable for the introduction of full competition in postal services by 2007– ahead of most of our partners in the European Union. Postcomm has also imposed a tough but fair price control on Royal Mail and is finalising its first access determination.

It is an impressive record. I look forward to working with my fellow commissioners to drive forward Postcomm’s important and challenging work.”

Notes for editors

Postcomm’s present chairman Graham Corbett has been with Postcomm since its inception in 2000. When his three–year term ended in March 2003, he agreed to stay for up to a year to permit the completion of the foundation-laying process. With the expected publication of a decision on the access determination over the coming weeks, this will largely have been achieved. It has accordingly been agreed that Mr Stapleton will take over the chairmanship in January.

Nigel Stapleton is Chairman of UNIQ plc, a convenience food company, and a non-executive director of the London Stock Exchange plc and Reliance Security Group plc.  His earlier business career was with Unilever for 18 years and with the leading publishing and information company, Reed Elsevier, for 13 years. Prior to taking the role at UNIQ in July 2001, Nigel Stapleton worked for two years with the merchant bank Veronis, Suhler Stevenson & Associates as Chairman of its newly established European affiliate. From March to July 2003, Mr Stapleton was also Chairman of Cordiant Communications Group, where he oversaw a renegotiation of debt covenants, the disposal of three non core businesses and a £260m sale of the remaining business to WPP Group.

Mr Stapleton has been appointed by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.  Further details are in the DTI press release also issued today.

More information on Postcomm's commissioners and directors.