Ministers to begin search for new Ofcom chair

Veteran broadcast executive Lord Michael Grade is to step down from his position of chair Ofcom after a single term.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), which is already beginning a search for his replacement, well ahead of the expiry of Lord Grade’s term in April.

Sky News, which first reported the story, said there was no suggestion that Lord Grade would leave his post ahead of time. He had previously held senior positions at the BBC, ITV and Channel 4.

The protracted recruitment process led to the crossbench peer being appointed in 2022 by the then Conservative culture secretary Nadine Dorries. Subsequently, Ofcom board appointments has been moved from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

In addition to its responsibility in the regulation of broadcasters, Ofcom also regulates the Royal Mail, and has seen an extension in its responsibilities around online harms.

Related