COI picks client services chief for commercial role
COI has promoted client services director Ian Hamilton to the new role of commercial director. The position has been created as part of a restructure that aims to improve its relationship with Whitehall clients.
Hamilton, who will report to chief executive Alan Bishop, will have a brief to liaise with COI’s clients and the Office of Government Commerce (OGC), an independent office of the Treasury. The OGC is responsible for improving value for money by increasing standards and capability in procurement.
A new Government strategy launched in January 2007, called Transforming Government Procurement, highlighted the importance of procurement in delivering high quality public services and best value for money. OGC is tasked with delivering this transformation across central Government.
Separately, COI has brought in the Department of Health (DoH) client services director Wendy Proctor as director of client account team (CAT). The division helps to define the scope of its communications briefs.
Proctor has previously worked as an account director at various advertising agencies including Grey and Leagas Shafron Davis. She will report to board director for client services and strategic director Graham Hooper.
Meanwhile, COI is getting ready to publish a report on the review of its media buying system, after it appointed Douglas McArthur, the founder of the Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB), to examine its systems in September.
McArthur will provide COI with an analysis of future market conditions and provide recommendations as to how its buying contracts might be more effective, ensure greater value for money and help facilitate innovative and effective communications solutions.
