Banerjee will replace currrent chair Nigel Stapleton in January after two terms in the role.

However, the Postal Services Bill, which is currently going through parliament, will ultimately transfer regulatory responsibility for postal services from Postcomm to Ofcom, subject to parliamentary approval, when it is implemented later on in 2011.

Minister for postal affairs Edward Davey said: "Banerjee’s breadth of experience and knowledge of the postal industry will ensure that the transition from Postcomm to Ofcom is well managed, swift and smooth."

"I would also like to thank Nigel Stapleton for his important contribution over the past seven years. He has overseen a period of significant change and helped to establish a more competitive postal services sector."

Banerjee added: "This is a very important time for the postal services sector and Postcomm, working closely with Ofcom, has a vital role to play in bringing about a seamless transition to a new regulatory regime.

Banerjee has been a member of the Ofcom Board since September 2002 and will remain on the Ofcom board until the end of her term as an Ofcom board member.

She was Chair of Postwatch, the postal services watchdog, and, in 2007, successfully oversaw the merger of postal representation into Consumer Focus.