AOL UK has appointed Lori Friedman to the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer, the company said today.

Friedman will report to AOL UK's MD, Karen Thomson, and will be responsible for a "broad range of business operations" across the company.

She joins AOL UK from New York-based e-business outfit Donovan Data Systems (DDS).

AOL UK also made a number of other senior appointments.

However, as a result of the "senior management team expansion", the previous function of AOL UK Group Marketing Director no longer exists. It appears Keith Hawkins will now be leaving the company to "pursue other opportunities".

In a statement, Thomson said: "We are experiencing the fastest growth in our history, fuelled by our consumers' tremendous enthusiasm for our unique AOL Flat Rate unmetered price plan, and the road ahead demands even greater depth in our senior management team."

So AOL UK needs "even greater depth in [its] senior management team". That's nice. Except if your name is Keith Hawkins. ®