Government Picks Top Candidate for Ofcom Chair Role

The UK government has announced its preferred candidate to serve as the next Chair of Ofcom, the country's powerful media and telecommunications regulator. Sir Ian Cheshire has been selected for the high-profile role, subject to a parliamentary hearing before the final appointment is confirmed.

Cheshire is an experienced business leader with a strong background in retail and e-commerce. He previously served as the Group Chief Executive of Kingfisher plc, the owner of DIY chains B&Q and Screwfix, from 2008 to 2017. Cheshire has also held numerous other board positions, including as the Chair of Barclays UK and a non-executive director at Barclays plc.

In a statement, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport said that Cheshire's "extensive experience in the private sector" made him the government's preferred choice to lead Ofcom. The regulator oversees a wide range of media and communications industries in the UK, from television and radio to broadband and mobile networks.

"Sir Ian Cheshire is an excellent candidate to be the next Chair of Ofcom," said Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries. "His significant experience in the private sector will be invaluable as Ofcom continues to play a crucial role in the UK's digital transformation."

Cheshire's appointment will be subject to a pre-appointment hearing by the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee in Parliament. This is a standard process for high-profile public appointments to ensure candidates are scrutinized before being confirmed.

The new Ofcom Chair will take over from the outgoing incumbent, Lord Terry Burns, who has served in the role since 2018. Cheshire is expected to oversee a period of significant change and growth in the UK's media and telecommunications sectors as the country continues its digital evolution.