Maggie Carver appointed Ofcom interim Chair from January

The Government has appointed Maggie Carver as Ofcom’s interim Chair from 1 January 2021, following the departure of our current Chairman Lord Burns at the end of this year.

Maggie will chair Ofcom’s Board while the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport finalises the appointment of a permanent Chair.

Maggie is currently Deputy Chair of Ofcom, a post she has held since she joined the Ofcom Board in September 2018.

She is also Chair of the Racecourse Association and a Director of the British Horseracing Authority. Maggie has extensive experience as a non-executive director on the boards of 18 companies – public, private and not-for-profit.

These include chairing news and programme provider ITN, multiplex operator SDN, and the British Board of Film Classification. Maggie has also been a director on the boards of Channel 5 Television, RDF Media plc, Satellite Information Services, armed forces broadcaster BFBS, and British Waterways. Her executive career was in investment banking, television production, broadcasting and retail.

Maggie Carver said: “I’m proud to be taking over as interim Chair from Terry Burns, who has done a terrific job for the last three years. This has been a very challenging year for the communications industries, but they have shown great resilience and proven their importance in keeping people connected.

“For all the change and disruption this year, Ofcom’s priority remains unchanged – to make communications work for everyone. I’m looking forward to continuing my work with Ofcom’s Board, and other colleagues, to carry on that work in 2021. That includes preparing for our future role as the online harms regulator, which the Government has confirmed today.”

Lindsey Fussell joins Ofcom Board

Separately, Ofcom has appointed Networks and Communications Group Director Lindsey Fussell as an Executive Member of our Board. Lindsey leads Ofcom’s work in the telecoms, post and networks sectors, where we aim to protect consumers’ interests and promote competition.

Before joining Ofcom in April 2016, Lindsey held a range of senior leadership roles at public bodies, including at HM Treasury, where she was Director of Public Services. She joins existing executive Board members, Chief Executive Dame Melanie Dawes, and Kevin Bakhurst, Group Director for Broadcasting and Online Content.

Lord Burns, Ofcom Chairman, said: “I’ve been privileged to lead Ofcom’s Board for the last three years. During that time, our telecoms and broadcasting sectors have seen unprecedented change and shown their critical importance to people, businesses and the UK economy.

“As Ofcom prepares for new duties around online harms, the organisation is in safe hands under the leadership of Maggie, our new interim Chair, and our Chief Executive Melanie Dawes. I’m also delighted to add Lindsey Fussell’s experience to the Board for the future.”

Martin Ballantyne appointed General Counsel

Ofcom has also appointed Martin Ballantyne as its new General Counsel and Legal Group Director, following a competitive process.

Martin has been a Legal Director at Ofcom since 2011. Before then, Martin worked as a competition lawyer at Macfarlanes. Martin has served as interim General Counsel following the departure of Polly Weitzman earlier this year. Following his permanent appointment, he will continue to provide advice for all policy areas within Ofcom, as well as overseeing our legal work.