CABLE operator ntl last night announced the appointment of an executive charged with improving customer service.

Neil Berkett will join ntl as chief operating officer next month, putting him in charge of day-to-day operations, such as the level of service at the group's call centres.

Mr Berkett, who joins the company from banking group Lloyds TSB, was previously with insurer Prudential, where he set up an operation in India.

There are no current plans to outsource work abroad, ntl said.

The company, which has 3.3 million residential customers in the UK, is in the middle of a drive to ensure users do not switch to rival operators.

The company has been working to improve customer satisfaction since a major restructuring that saw 1,500 call centre staff lose their jobs.

As part of the overhaul, it closed most of its 12 call centres, leaving only Manchester, Swansea and Bellshill, in Scotland.

The company would not disclose the exact number of staff still employed at its Stockton centre, but unions estimate that there are between 300 and 350.

Mr Berkett improved customer service significantly during his time at Lloyds TSB, in comparison with rival banks, ntl said.

He will report directly to chief executive Simon Duffy.

Mr Duffy said: "He has a strong track record of managing change and driving operational improvements in highly competitive industries.

"His substantial experience in customer-facing organisations will be invaluable to us as we continue to improve and grow our UK cable business."

The company, which is based in Hook, Hampshire, emerged from bankruptcy protection in 2003 and began a financial overhaul to generate capital and reduce interest repayment charges.

The group completed the sale of its broadcast business on January 31, leaving it with a cable business.

It said last week that it signed up 205,500 new users in the three months to June 30 - but warned this pace may slow as it becomes more selective about the type of customers it takes on.

The company said it would operate stricter credit screening in a bid to decrease bad debt, in a move that could lower the number of extra customers in the near term.