A new chief executive officer has been appointed to head Bermuda’s telecoms watchdog organisation.

Matthew Copeland was appointed chief executive of the Regulatory Authority of Bermuda at the start of this month. He is the third permanent chief executive officer to lead the organisation, which was created in 2013 to oversee the island’s telecommunications sector.

Details of Mr Copeland’s background have not yet been made available through the RAB, however, his appointment was confirmed in minutes of the March 1 board meeting of its commissioners.

The Authority’s responsibilities are anticipated to increase in the near future with the transfer of regulation and oversight of the energy sector from the Ministry of Economic Development and the Energy Commission to the RAB.

A search for a permanent chief executive began in September, following the resignation of Robert Watson who took on the role in January 2015. At the time he was seen as an ideal choice to guide the authority into its dual-sector responsibilities due to his previous experience leading telecoms and electricity companies in Canada. However, Mr Watson resigned for personal reasons. The RAB’s first CEO was Philip Micallef. He led the organisation for almost two years, between 2013 and late 2014, before resigning for personal reasons and returning to Europe.

He is now the CEO of Air Malta.

Kyle Masters, the RAB’s legal and regulatory advisor, acted as interim CEO between the departure of Mr Micallef and the appointment of Mr Watson, and again between the departure of Mr Watson and the appointment of Mr Copeland.

Angela Berry is chairwoman of the RAB board of commissioners. She took on the role in January. The previous chairman was Carl Musson.

The RAB has traditionally had three commissioners, but at present only Ms Berry and Kenneth Robinson are listed as commissioners on the Authority’s website.

The Royal Gazette has requested more details on the appointment of Mr Copeland, and at press time was awaiting a reply.