The Central Office of Information (COI) is the UK government's marketing and communications agency. Its Chief Executive, currently Alan Bishop, reports to the Minister for the Cabinet Office. It is a Non-Ministerial Department, an Executive Agency and a Trading Fund, and recovers its costs from the other Departments, Executive Agencies and publicly funded bodies which use its services.
It was established in 1946 after the wartime Ministry of Information was closed. COI celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2006 with several events including a film season at the National Film Theatre and a poll to find Britain's favourite public information film on the BBC website. It works with Whitehall departments and public bodies to produce information campaigns on issues that affect the lives of British citizens, from health and education to benefits, rights and welfare.
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