Ofcom UK Appoints Lord (Terry) Burns to be its New Chairman

The British economist and former Chairman of Channel 4, Lord Burns (Terence Burns), has today officially been named as the new chairman of telecoms and media regulator Ofcom. Lord Burns will take up the position on 1st January 2018 after Dame Patricia Hodgson steps down.

The Chairman of Ofcom must be appointed by the Government’s Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), which is currently MP Karen Bradley. The appointment was also approved by a DCMS Committee hearing. We should point out that Lord Burns is a cross-bench peer in the House of Lords and has in the past also served as the Permanent Secretary of HM Treasury (1991 to 1998).

Sharon White, Ofcom CEO, said:

“Lord Burns brings with him a wealth of experience and I am looking forward to working together as we deliver on Ofcom’s priorities.

I am incredibly grateful to Dame Patricia Hodgson, who has provided expert stewardship to Ofcom as Chairman and Deputy Chairman over the past six years. Colleagues across Ofcom thank her for the contribution she’s made.”

Lord Burns added:

“I am very pleased to have the opportunity to take on this role at an important time for Ofcom. The UK communications sector provides essential services to everyone in the UK and is critical to the future success of the economy.”

Lord Burns has also been the Chairman for a number of private and public-sector organisations over the years, including Marks & Spencer, Santander UK, Welsh Water, the National Lottery Commission and The Royal Academy of Music. Apparently his remuneration for the role is £120,000 for up to three days a week. The term of the appointment is four years.