Ofcom UK CEO Sharon White to Exit Telecoms and Media Regulator

The CEO of Ofcom, Sharon White, has today confirmed that she will step down from her stewardship of the United Kingdom’s telecoms, broadband and media regulator by “around the turn of the year“. The regulator’s board will now begin the process of finding a replacement (subject to final approval by the DCMS Secretary of State).

Sharon White, an ex-Treasury official and economics graduate with 29 years’ of experience working in the public sector (albeit little telecoms knowledge until she joined Ofcom), originally took over from Ed Richards in the technically demanding role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) back in 2015 (here).

During her period in power White has overseen a number of major industry developments, such as the strategic review of digital communications that resulted in the further legal separation of BT from Openreach, as well as the merger of BT with EE and conversely the rejection of O2 and Three UK’s proposed merger.

On top of that she has tried to encourage more “full fibre” deployments, overseen numerous disagreements between mobile network operators and helped to introduce a variety of new consumer protection measures (e.g. easier mobile switching, automatic compensation for broadband ISP faults, end-of-contract notifications etc.).

Sharon White said:

“It’s been a huge privilege to lead Ofcom at a time when reliable, affordable communications have become essential. I will leave behind an organisation that is dedicated in its mission to make communications work for everyone.”

Lord Burns, Ofcom Chairman, said:

“Sharon has been an outstanding Chief Executive for Ofcom and will be missed by the whole organisation.

Under Sharon’s leadership, Ofcom has helped to deliver ultrafast broadband, widespread 4G mobile and now 5G, and became the first independent regulator of the BBC.

She leaves Ofcom as a regulator with a relentless focus on the consumer interest; making sure people and businesses can get the best out of their communications services.”

Naturally not all of White’s decisions have been universally popular (e.g. some felt as if a merger between O2 and Three UK should have been accepted and others wanted BT’s legal split from Openreach to go further) but few things ever are for a regulator. We’ll be interested to see who the board finds to replace her. Meanwhile Sharon is off to become a Chairwoman for the John Lewis Partnership.