UK PM ropes in Brunswick Group CEO

Downing Street has announced that Stephen Carter, Group Chief Executive of Brunswick Group LLP and former Chief Executive of OFCOM, has been appointed to the new post of Chief of Strategy and Principal Advisor to the Prime Minister.

Brunswick is amongst the largest and most powerful financial communications consultancies in the world.

Carter, 43, will be the Principal Special Advisor in No 10 and will be in charge of Political Strategy Communications and Research and the Policy Unit at No. 10 Downing Street, reporting directly to Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

"I am delighted that Stephen Carter has accepted my invitation to join the Downing Street team as we build on our programme of reform and pursue an ambitious legislative programme,” said Brown. “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".

Mr Carter's appointment follows a career in which he became the first Chief Executive of OFCOM, the communications regulator, and previously as Chief Executive of advertising agency J Walter Thompson, as well as cable group NTL and then Brunswick Group LLP.

Mr Carter, who will stand down as Chief Executive of Brunswick Group with immediate effect, said: "It is an honour to be asked to work with the Prime Minister and the Downing Street team, and I will do my utmost to make a difference to effective government."