Three new Scottish appointments at Ofcom

THE Scottish committee that helps advise broadcasting regulators, Ofcom, has taken on three new members, among them a former BBC Radio Scotland editor.

Says Ofcom: “The advisory committee was established under the terms of the Communications Act 2003 to provide advice to Ofcom about the interests and opinions of people living in Scotland on all communications matters.”

The trio are Andrew Muir, Andrew Jones and Mike Shaw.

Says Ofcom: “Andrew Muir is an independent telecoms consultant based in the north-west Highlands. From his home in Achiltibuie, Andrew has worked extensively across Scotland and beyond on a wide range of telecommunication projects in both the private and public sectors. His experience covers broadband technical reviews and strategies, network strategies, international reviews of telecom developments, market reviews, and project and procurement management. Andrew is also chair and director of his Local Enterprise Company (HIE Skye and Wester Ross).

“Andrew Jones was educated at St. Andrews University where he took a degree in Mediaeval History. Andrew then joined the advertising and marketing industry and specialised in media planning and buying. He began his career at J. Walter Thomson and went on to hold a range of senior board positions in Scottish agencies before setting up his own venture. His clients included many of Scotland’s top brands, such as ScottishPower, before Andrew went on to specialise in social marketing through his work with the Scottish Executive and NHS Health Scotland. Andrew is a member of the Parole Board for Scotland, Children’s Panels, Dunbartonshire Economic Forum, and the Marketing Society.

“Mike Shaw recently returned to Edinburgh after working as head of the English Language Service of Radio Netherlands, the Dutch World Service, where he had responsibility for news and current affairs, features and the web. He also developed new partnership links with stations ranging from local community to national and international broadcasters.

“He was for many years an editor/manager with Radio Scotland in output areas including consumer affairs, multicultural, arts and features, and entertainment. He produced on a regular basis for the BBC’s London networks and also set up Radio Scotland’s first-ever series of international programme collaborations. He was responsible for introducing ‘independent’ production to Radio Scotland. He also served three terms as an elected member of the Radio Academy in London. He is one of the founder members of the Dalbeattie Museum.”

The new members have been appointed for three years. A further round of recruitment will take place later this year/early next, when the period of office of four further existing members of the committee comes to an end.