Robin Aaronson reappointed as Postcomm Commissioner

3 June 2005

Postcomm has today (Friday 3 June) announced that the Minister for Competitiveness, Barry Gardiner, has agreed to the reappointment of Robin Aaronson as a Commissioner for a period of 18 months, until 30 November 2006.

Mr Aaronson was initially appointed in 2000, for a term of five years, which ended on 31 May 2005.

Commenting on the extension of Mr Aaronson’s term, Nigel Stapleton, Postcomm’s Chairman, said:

“We are delighted that Robin has agreed to carry on working with us. His background in regulatory economics is proving invaluable as we move towards full postal market opening on 1 January 2006.” 

Notes for Editors

Postcomm’s policies are steered by a board of seven Commissioners, headed by the Chairman, Nigel Stapleton. Other Commissioners are:

  • Sarah Chambers (who works full-time for Postcomm as its Chief Executive);
  • Simone Bos;
  • Tony Cooper;
  • Wanda Goldwag;
  • Janet Lewis-Jones.

Commissioners are independent non-executives with a duty to serve the interests of the Commission as a whole, working under the leadership of the Chair. The members of the Commission jointly ensure, through setting policy and through oversight of the executive management by the Chief Executive, that the Commission discharges its responsibilities effectively and efficiently.

The post of Commissioner is a part-time appointment, involving 3-4 days’ work a month. Commissioners’ remuneration is £20,000 per annum.

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. Robin Aaronson has canvassed on behalf of the Liberal Democrat party in the past five years. He holds no other UK public appointments.

Born in 1951, Robin Aaronson is an associate of LECG Ltd, a firm of economic and business consultants. An economist by training, he was a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers from 1993 to 1998. Prior to that he was a Senior Economic Adviser at the Monopolies and Mergers Commission and an Economic Adviser at the Treasury. From 1998 to 2000, he was a member of the Post Office Users National Council. This ministerial public appointment was not remunerated except in respect of expenses.