Lord Michael Grade has been confirmed as the new chair of UK communications regulator
Ofcom.
He has been appointed by the Secretary of State for four years, from 1st May 2022 until 30th April 2026. Michael Grade was made a Conservative peer in 2011 but will now move to the non-party political 'cross benches'.
Lord Grade has had a long career in broadcasting. He's been Chairman of the BBC, Executive Chairman of ITV, Chief Executive of Channel Four Television and non-executive Chairman of Pinewood and Shepperton Film Studios.
Last month, Culture Secretary The Rt Hon Nadine Dorries MP confirmed that Lord Grade was the government's preferred candidate for the role. She said "Lord Grade’s experience at the highest level of a number of broadcasters and his expert knowledge of the British media landscape makes him an ideal candidate for this role. Going forward, Ofcom has an even more important role to play as the UK’s communications regulator. The introduction of the Online Safety Bill will give it new responsibilities and resources to ensure digital platforms tackle illegal and abusive material online. I am confident that under Lord Grade’s leadership Ofcom will rise to the challenge with great success."
Lord Terry Burns was the previous chair of Ofcom, taking over from Dame Patricia Hodgson in 2018 but stepping down in 2020.