Virgin Media has appointed Scott Dresser as its new general counsel, after longstanding postholder Bryan Hall announced his retirement.

Dresser, who has been serving as the media company's deputy GC, takes up his promotion with immediate effect, after Hall decided to leave the company and return to the US. Hall has been Virgin Media's GC since 2004.

Dresser will lead Virgin Media's in-house legal department and external counsel on all legal, competition and regulatory issues, as well as advising the board of directors. He will join the company's executive management team and will report directly to chief executive officer, Neil Berkett.

Dresser joined Virgin Media in 2006 from New York-based reinsurance company White Mountains Re Group, becoming deputy GC in 2008. He previously worked at Morgan Lewis & Bockius and legacy US law firm Lord Day & Lord.

As deputy GC Dresser was responsible for the company's M&A, competition and regulatory teams. He took lead roles on matters including the sale of Virgin Media Television, as well as the successful challenge to BSkyB's ownership stake in ITV and Virgin's participation in Ofcom's market investigation into the pay TV industry. Virgin Media will not be appointing a replacement deputy GC.

Berkett said: "Having worked closely with Scott over a number of years, I am absolutely delighted to welcome someone of his calibre to our executive management team. During a period of major industry developments, Scott has successfully led our legal team on many key initiatives and his experience will be extremely valuable as Virgin Media looks to extend its lead in the entertainment and communications sector."