Ofcom chief exec to stand down

After 11 years at the helm, Ofcom’s chief executive Ed Richards is to stand down at the end of the year, it has been announced.

Richards first joined the UK media and communications regulator in 2003 as a senior partner, before being promoted to chief operating officer in 2005 and then chief executive in 2006.

He will continue to lead on all operational, financial, economic, competition and policy matters until December 2014. In the meantime, Ofcom will begin the search for a replacement with immediate effect, which it hopes to complete early next year.

Commenting on his resignation, Richards said: “It has been a privilege to lead Ofcom during such an exciting and dynamic period in the evolution of the UK’s communications sector.

“It is never easy leaving a job that you enjoy greatly but I have always felt that once I had completed eight years as chief executive this would be the right time to move on.”

Patricia Hodgson, chairman of Ofcom, added: “Ed has been an outstanding chief executive. Under his leadership, Ofcom has helped to deliver superfast broadband, 4G, lower prices, innovation, competition, and sustainable public service broadcasting in the UK.

“He leaves an impressive legacy. On behalf of the Board I would like to thank him for his enormous contribution.”