The Independent Television Commission, which regulates private TV in the UK, has appointed Dominic Morris to the new position of director of policy. Morris has been controller, policy development at the BBC since 1996, where he was responsible for leading the corporate policy function of the public broadcaster covering both UK and European policy and new technologies.

Until 1996 he was deputy head of the prime minister's policy unit responsible for media, European, trade and industry, education and defence policy. He also worked as a civil servant for the Department of Trade and Industry where his responsibilities included negotiations to establish the single European market and telecommunications deregulations. From 1988 to 1992 he worked as the prime minister's private secretary.

Morris will report to chief executive Patricia Hodgson. Chairman Robin Biggam said: "With the White Paper on communication due to be published within the next few weeks and a Bill to be drafted, we are delighted that Dominic will be joining the ITC. His experience of the legislative process and regulation will be invaluable for the industry as a whole."