Lead
The UK media regulator Ofcom has named Ian Cheshire, a City veteran and former Channel 4 chair, as its preferred candidate for the role of chair. The appointment, announced on Wednesday, is subject to approval in a parliamentary hearing, after which Cheshire will serve a four-year term. He will succeed Michael Grade, the former BBC chair, who steps down at the end of the month.
Coverage Comparison
Reports from The Guardian indicate that Cheshire was chosen over two other shortlisted candidates: Margaret Hodge, a Labour peer and former chair of the public accounts committee, and Jeremy Wright, a former Conservative cabinet minister and current MP. The selection was made by Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, whose department oversees the appointment. While the announcement confirms Cheshire as the preferred candidate, earlier reporting noted a concerted push by some online safety advocates to appoint Wright instead, due to his legal background and involvement in drafting the Online Safety Act.
Key Claims
- Cheshire's selection: Ofcom named Ian Cheshire as its preferred candidate for chair on Wednesday. He will be formally appointed once approved by the science, innovation and technology select committee. Multiple sources confirm that Kendall supported Cheshire, citing his "proven track record of leading complex organisations through periods of significant change."
- Cheshire's background: Cheshire previously served as CEO of Kingfisher, the owner of B&Q, and chaired Channel 4 until last year. He is also chair of the property group Landsec and has sat on the boards of Barclays and Debenhams. According to a statement from Cheshire, his career in e-commerce, telecoms and broadcasting has shown him "first-hand how much effective regulation matters."
- Candidates considered: Margaret Hodge and Jeremy Wright were also candidates for the role. Hodge was seen as a favourite due to her reputation for taking on big tech, while Wright was backed by sources in online safety who cited his knowledge of the Online Safety Act. Former Conservative leader William Hague reportedly supported Wright, arguing he would take on digital platforms.
- Online Safety Act concerns: The implementation of the Online Safety Act, which regulates social media in the UK, has been delayed, leading to claims of paralysis at Ofcom. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall expressed "deeply concerned" about these delays in a letter to the regulator. Campaigners, including Ian Russell, father of Molly Russell, have called for tougher action and even a change in leadership at Ofcom.
- Compensation and role: The chair of Ofcom is paid £120,000 a year for a time commitment of three days a week, according to Ofcom.
Perspectives
- Government and Ofcom: The technology secretary praised Cheshire's leadership experience, framing the appointment as a step toward effective regulation in a rapidly changing media landscape. Ofcom's own plan for 2026-27 acknowledges the profound changes since its formation, including the rise of the internet and social media.
- Online safety advocates: Figures like Ian Russell and Baroness Beeban Kidron argue that the Online Safety Act needs to be toughened and that Ofcom has been too slow to act. Russell previously lost faith in the regulator's ability to protect children online, citing its struggle to block a self-harm forum.
- Jeremy Wright supporters: Sources involved in online safety pushed for Wright's appointment, believing he would be more ambitious in confronting digital platforms. A source familiar with the process said Wright "understands the workings of the act, which makes him perfectly well placed" to achieve a "strategic reset."
- Freedom of speech advocates: While less prominently featured in the coverage, these groups are noted as having concerns about the Online Safety Act, balancing the expectations of safety campaigners.