Sir John Reith became a director of Cable & Wireless in 1944. He had been Director General of the BBC from 1922-1938 and his other roles included Chairman of Imperial Airways, an MP, Minister of Transport and Lieutenant Commander at the Admiralty. In 1943 Edward Wilshaw invited him to join the Cable & Wireless Board.

AT THE IMPERIAL Communications Conference held in London in 1945, the Government accepted Sir John Reith’s recommendations to set up a Commonwealth Telecommunications Board and the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced the Cabinet’s decision to transfer the telecommunications services operated by Cable & Wireless to public ownership. The Chancellor said in the Commons: "Cable & Wireless will remain in being as a Government-owned Company and will continue to own assets and to operate telecommunication services outside the UK apart from those owned by national bodies… All assets in the UK will be integrated with those of the Post Office." During 1946, Cable & Wireless petitioned against the Cable & Wireless bill but it was granted Royal Assent and in 1947 the Company was nationalised.

Company assets in 1949.	The new board of Cable & Wireless appointed by the Government, took office on 13th January 1947.

See Also
Sir Edward Wilshaw Chairmen Privatisation of Cable & Wireless Australia 1940’s – 1990’s Cable & Wireless Family Tree