Ofcom chief executive Carter to leave at the end of July

by Mark Banham, Brand Republic 20-Jul-06, 13:20

LONDON - Stephen Carter, the outgoing Ofcom chief executive, will leave the media regulator at the end of this month and not later in the autumn as originally planned, due to the progression in the hunt to find his successor.

The regulator said that "barring informal guidance on operational matters, and succession briefings" that Carter would play "no further role" in the organisation after that point.

David Currie, Ofcom chairman, will act as executive chairman and chair the board, executive committee and policy executive until the new chief executive is appointed to the post.

The regulator said that the recruitment of a new chief executive to replace Carter should garner a shortlist by the end of this month

The Ofcom board intends to complete the appointment process during October.

Currie said: "On behalf of the board, I would also like to pay tribute to Stephen's outstanding leadership and thank him for everything he has achieved at Ofcom."

As part of its annual report, the regulator said that it had reduced its 2005/2006 operating budget to £133m, 8% lower than its 2004/2005 budget and that its operating budget for 2006/2007 would be 5% lower year on year.

Carter said: "As the annual report hopefully demonstrates, Ofcom is in good shape and in good hands."

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