Robert Madelin, who has run DG Sanco – the European Commission's health and consumer affairs department – since 2004, will now head up DG Information Society and Media.
The British-born official, who ranks among the most high-profile civil servants in Brussels, will answer to Neelie Kroes, the commissioner for the Digital Agenda.
During his tenure at DG Sanco, Madelin chaired the obesity forum and regularly contributed to public debates where he routinely offered frank assessments of what stakeholders must do to move the health agenda forward.
He will be replaced at DG Sanco by Paola Testori-Coggi, who previously held the position of deputy director- general at the Commission's health wing.
Since the appointment of the new college of European commissioners by José Manuel Barroso, officials have been busy swapping seats in a round of 'musical chairs' that involves some of the most powerful EU jobs in Brussels (EurActiv 17/03/10).
Although more discrete than the commissioners themselves, these high-ranking officials greatly influence policymaking in the EU and are seen as some of the most powerful players in Brussels.
