§ Baroness Anelay of St Johnsasked Her Majesty's Government:
What process they have adopted for the selection of a chairman and a chief executive to be appointed to the board of Ofcom; whether headhunters have been appointed to assist in the selection procedure; if so, which company has been so appointed; and when they expect to announce the appointment of the chairman and chief executive. [HL4582]
§ The Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Baroness Blackstone)Advertisements for the positions of chairman and three non-executive members of Ofcom recently appeared in national newspapers and papers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The appointments will be made in line with the guidance issued by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Once appointed, the chairman and non-executive members will be responsible for appointing the chief executive of Ofcom, subject to the approval of the Secretary of State.
Saxton, Bampfylde, Hever has been appointed by DTI and DCMS to assist with the executive search for potential candidates for chairman and non-executive members.
We hope to be in a position to announce the appointment of the chairman and non-executive members in late July/early August. The appointment of the chief executive is not likely to be made until the end of the year.