Philip Collins has been appointed chairman of the OFT, taking over from John Vickers. The new position of chief executive has been filled by John Fingleton.

According to the Periodical Publishers Association (PPA), the appointees indicate that the OFT is now willing to review the evidence submitted by opponents of the proposed overhaul of the newspaper and magazine distribution system.

"There is no indication that the OFT is going to do a U-turn, but the new regime is prepared to meet the industry and can only be an improvement from our point of view," said a PPA spokesman.

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Tessa Jowell has written to the OFT to oppose the break up of the existing distribution system. Other high profile lobbyists include Haymarket chairman Lord Heseltine.