Caudwell Communications - the fixed line phone business of Phones 4u boss John Caudwell - has appointed David Downie as MD to "bolster" the management team. Well, for the time being at least.

Last month Downie was appointed MD of Phones 4u Retail (Caudwell's chain of mobile phone outlets) having worked for ASDA for the last 15 years.

But in an email to workers seen by El Reg Group MD Tim Whiting announced that Downie has also been appointed as MD of Caudwell Communications. He replaces Keith Basnett who resigned six months ago.

Downie's appointment comes as the whole Caudwell empire is up for sale following a strategic review of the business.

With the sale of the whole shooting match underway with potential bidders already lining up, Whiting told staff that this was a "very exciting and challenging period for the group and all of us individually".

"It is essential that we have the right leadership in place in all our businesses to maximise performance by leading and directing our people effectively through this exciting period of change.

"I am therefore delighted to inform you that David Downie will be taking up the role of Managing Director of Caudwell Communications from today," he said.

A spokesman for the Caudwell group explained that the appointment of Downie as part of the telco business was part of his "induction into the Caudwell Group".

"This is not an irregular practice when a senior executive joins the Caudwell group, in fact, it is quite common.

"David's role will be to bolster the existing management team...he will be returning to Phones 4u as MD after his induction period is over," he told us. ®