The prime minister, Gordon Brown, has hiredex-Ofcom chief Stephen Carteras chief
of strategy and principal advisor.
Carter, 43, will be in charge of Political Strategy
Communications and Research - a job similar to the one carried out
by Alistair Campbell during Tony Blair's premiership.
Brown said, "As both a chief executive and industry regulator,
he has an enviable track record in the private and public sectors,
and will bring his considerable qualities and experience to the
work of government."
Carter's appointment follows a career in which he became the
first chief executive of Ofcom, the telecoms regulator, and
managing director of cable group NTL.
While at NTL, Carter was responsible for the company's
businesses in Britain and the Irish Republic. He left with a payoff
and bonus of more than £1.6m, even though the company filed for
bankruptcy protection.
Carter will stand down from his current role as chief executive
of PR firm Brunswick Group with immediate effect.