Independent telecommunications consultant    Mr Harris studied computers and central European affairs. In 1964 he joined the British Post Office and held a number of appointments in telecommunications management at local and headquarters level.   From 1981 he represented British Telecom in the UK government's initiative to create an independent standards, certification and approvals regime for terminal equipment.

In 1984 he was a founder member of the newly privatised BT's Government Relations Department, closely involved in establishing the relationship with Oftel and the UK government on regulatory matters.   In 1990 he went on loan to the telecommunications policy directorate of the European Commission where he served as a special assistant to the director. The work of the directorate concerns the liberalisation and completion of the single European market in telecommunications products and services. He played a leading role in the Commission's activities in relation to telecommunications in Greece.   Since 1993 he has been an employee of the Commission and has been working on international telecommunications policy in relation to the countries of Eastern and Central Europe and of the newly independent states. During the recent accession (1998-2002) negotiations he had particular responsibility for the Baltic States, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Hungary. He has also been responsible for relations with Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and the countries of the Western Balkans and with the International Financial Institutions.   He retired from the Commission on 31st March 2005.