25 March 2004
The Prime Minister announced today the appointment of Howell James as Permanent Secretary for Government Communications.
The Permanent Secretary will be responsible for the strategy, co-ordination and effectiveness of Government communication across Whitehall. The creation of this post was one of the key changes recommended by the independent review of government communications led by Bob Phillis, Chief Executive of the Guardian Media Group.
Notes for Editors
Howell James started his working life in the media as head of promotions at Capital Radio. He was head of publicity at the launch of TVam, Britain’s first commercial breakfast television channel.
In 1984 he became Special Advisor to Lord Young in the Cabinet Office, and moved with him to the Department of Employment and Trade and Industry.
In 1987 he joined the Board of Management of the BBC as Director of Corporate Affairs.
He joined Cable & Wireless as Director of Corporate and Government Affairs in 1992 where he was responsible for Cable & Wireless’s press, public and government relations in the UK, North America and Hong Kong.
Howell became Prime Minister John Major’s Political Secretary in 1994. He is a Founding Partner of Brown Lloyd James (PR Company). He was awarded the CBE in August 1997.
The Phillis Review of Government Communications
In February 2003, the Government commissioned an external review chaired by Bob Phillis, Chief Executive, Guardian Media Group plc following the recommendation of a radical external review of Government Communications from the Public Administration Select Committee, in the ‘These Unfortunate Events’ report.
The Terms of Reference for the Review Group were:
"In the light of the Eighth Report of the House of Commons Public Administration Select Committee, to conduct a radical review of government communications. This will include the examination of different models for organising and managing the government’s communication effort, the effectiveness of the current model based on the Government Information and Communication Service, and the roles played by other civil servants including those special advisers who have a responsibility for communications".
The Group’s Interim Report published in September 2003 focused on the structure at the centre of Government and recommended the establishment of the Permanent Secretary post. The Interim Report’s recommendations were accepted in full. The final report was published on 19 January 2004.
The Permanent Secretary, Government Communications will report directly to the Head of the Home Civil Service, Sir Andrew Turnbull.
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