NTL names new MD for Ireland

Cable company NTL has appointed a new managing director of its Irish operations following the departure of Mr Ian Jeffers, 18 months after he took the job.

Mr Jeffers, who co-ordinated NTL's entry into the Irish marketplace, will move to a new role within the company's UK operations but will remain on the Irish board. Mr Brian Moore, formerly sales and marketing director at NTL Ireland, has been promoted to head NTL's Irish operations and to take charge of an ongoing business review.

Last month NTL unexpectedly announced it was delaying the roll out of its digital television and Internet broadband network until it had completed a full review of its Irish operations.

An NTL source said last night the change of management in the Republic probably fitted the company's desire to separate its UK and Irish businesses. "The management change makes sense as Ian Jeffers would not have as much experience of the Irish business as Brian," said the source.

Mr Moore has more than four years experience in the Irish cable industry and was chief negotiator for Cablelink during the NTL acquisition of the firm from RTE.

Speaking to The Irish Times yesterday, Mr Moore said his key initial focus would be to complete the business review by the start of March.

"We are certainly looking as part of the review at how we can optimise our strategy in Ireland," said Mr Moore. "It will not just focus on the type of technology we use.

"The timing of the change in management is very good," he said. "As we are conducting our review and the plan must be seen through."

Mr Jeffers said last night he had chosen to move from the managing director role in Ireland. He said there were a number of choices available within the UK group and he would consider them over the next few weeks.

Mr Jeffers performed a similar role for NTL in his last position with the firm as head of its Cambridge operation following its acquisition of Cambridge Cable.