PHILIP Watkins has been appointed as head of operations for the South West Regional Development Agency in Wiltshire and Swindon.

Philip's role will be to ensure effective communication between the Agency and its partners and local businesses.

He has been working for the Organis-ation of Security and Cooperation in Europe, specialising in building projects in emerging democracies.

Seconded by the Foreign and Common-wealth Office, Philip was most recently the deputy director of election operations in Kosovo, responsible for organising the first elections in the interna- tionally administered province.

Previously he has worked in Croatia for the United Nations and in Bosnia with the European Union.

Speaking about his new role, he said: "I have arrived in the RDA at an interesting time. The re-organisation within the Agency means an RDA team can now focus exclusively on Wiltshire and Swindon issues.

"Working with partners, my team will seek to address the most important urban and rural development challenges.

"All this while continuing to identify and promote innovative economic opportunities."