Issued by: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Sir Ian Cheshire has been announced as Chair of Ofcom, the UK's independent regulator for communications.

• Technology Secretary confirms Sir Ian Cheshire, as new Chair of Ofcom

• The former Channel 4 Chair will oversee regulator responsible for enforcing the UK’s Online Safety Act, driving growth across communications sectors, and protecting consumers

• Sir Ian has committed to ensuring the regulator acts decisively to protect people from online harms as he steers Ofcom through crucial next chapter.

Business leader Sir Ian Cheshire has been announced as Chair of Ofcom, the UK’s independent regulator for communications, following a pre-appointment hearing with the Science, Innovation and Technology Select Committee.

His appointment signals a significant moment for Ofcom, which has evolved considerably since it was first established, with telecoms, broadcasting and online safety now all within its remit.

In taking on the role, Sir Ian has committed to ensuring the regulator is guided by the experiences of those most exposed to online harms and translates that insight into strong, effective action. He has also committed to working constructively with Government on all aspects of Ofcom’s remit, including effective implementation of the Online Safety Act including government’s recent action to build on it, delivering Ofcom’s growth goals, and developing robust KPIs, while fully upholding Ofcom’s operational independence.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said:

"Sir Ian brings exactly the kind of leadership experience that Ofcom needs as it enters this next critical chapter.

"The Online Safety Act must be enforced robustly and without compromise, and Ofcom has a central role in making the UK the safest place to be online.

"From protecting consumers and tackling online harms to driving growth across our communications sectors, the regulator has never had a more important role to play. I look forward to working with Sir Ian as he leads Ofcom into this next phase."

Sir Ian Cheshire said:

"I am honoured and delighted to take on the Chair of Ofcom at this vital time as it begins to tackle the new challenges of Online Safety while continuing to deliver its traditional oversight of telecoms and broadcasting . I am especially interested in the lived experience of our citizens and also seeing the data that allows us to measure the increase of our impact."

Sir Ian was most recently Chair of Channel 4 from 2022 to 2025, and previously Chief Executive of Kingfisher plc. He has since held senior non-executive and advisory roles across business, sustainability and public policy, including as Chair of Barclays UK, Landsecurities PLC and various charities.

The Chair provides strategic leadership to Ofcom to ensure it can deliver its statutory responsibilities, including implementing and enforcing the Online Safety Act, protecting consumers and supporting growth and innovation across the UK’s communications sectors.

He succeeds Lord Michael Grade, whose term as Chair concluded at the end of April 2026.

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