Clarke, 42, is the former chief executive officer of Cable & Wireless Communications plc (CWC), which prior to a recent restructuring was the United Kingdom's largest cable television company and Britain's second largest telephone company.

Clarke played a critical role in establishing CWC following the merger of Mercury Communications with three cable companies in 1997. Under his leadership, CWC launched the world's first cable modem-based broadband interactive digital television service.

Clarke also committed CWC to being one of the first national telephone operators in the world to upgrade its entire core network to IP (Internet Protocol) technology. He also established one of the largest full-service Web-hosting facilities in Europe. When sold in May, CWC had more than tripled shareholder value during the company's three years of operation.

"Greg Clarke embodies everything we want in the leader of ICO-Teledesic Global," said McCaw, chairman of ICO-Teledesic Global. "He has extensive international telecommunications expertise in the data, broadband and wireless markets that ICO-Teledesic Global plans to serve. He has a proven track record in product development and sales and marketing. He's a smart, capable, dynamic and popular leader."

Clarke will lead the New ICO and Teledesic teams and have overall management responsibility for the development of the companies' advanced wireless services. He will also work closely with ICO-Teledesic Global's international partners, which include some of the most prominent telecommunications providers in the world.

"I look forward to working with Craig McCaw and the ICO-Teledesic Global team to build a powerful range of global wireless voice and data services," Clarke said. "This is a tremendous opportunity to build value for our shareholders and future customers."

Clarke's appointment comes on the heels of an announcement July 11 that ICO-Teledesic Global had secured investment agreements totaling more than $1 billion (670 million british pounds) from a number of top international investors. Investors include Eagle River Investments LLC, McCaw's private investment company; a fund managed by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Inc., a leading private equity investor; and Bill Gates, chairman and chief software architect of Microsoft Corporation.

George Tamke, an operating partner from Clayton, Dubilier & Rice who serves on the ICO-Teledesic Global board, said, "We are pleased to have identified an executive with the stature and international telecommunications experience to execute a complex global business strategy. We look forward to working with Greg and the rest of the leadership team to implement this plan and successfully grow this business."

Prior to serving as CEO of Cable & Wireless Communications, Clarke was the company's chief operating officer from May 1997 to January 1999. Previously, he was the managing director of mobile communications for Cable and Wireless.

Before joining Cable and Wireless, Clarke was vice president of cellular at Nortel Matra Communications France. He also held numerous management positions at Dowty-Case Communications and Plessey Group plc.

Clarke holds a master's in business administration from City University in London as well as a bachelor's degree in business from Wolverhampton Polytechnic.

www.teledesic.com and www.ico.com.