Colette Bowe is to replace David Currie as Chairman of Ofcom. Chief Executive Ed Richards welcomed the announcement and said “This is excellent news for Ofcom and for UK consumers and citizens whom we serve. I very much look forward to working with the new Chairman in the New Year.”
Dr Bowe trained as an economist and has held a number of senior roles in the public and private sectors. She began her career as an economist at the Department of Trade and Industry and subsequently worked at the Independent Broadcasting Authority, the Securities and Investment Board, as Chief Executive of the Personal Investment Authority and as Executive Chairman of the Fleming Funds Management. She was the founding chairman of the Telecoms Ombudsman Council and chaired Ofcom’s Consumer Panel from its inception in 2003 to December 2007.
Dr Bowe is currently a Board Member of Axa Framlington, Morgan Stanley Bank International, Electra Private Equity plc and London and Continental Railways; she is also Chairman of Council at Queen Mary College, London, and a Board member of the National Institute for Economic and Social Research. She has been a member of the Ofcom Board since January 2008 and is a member of the Ofcom Audit Committee.
Commenting on the announcement, David Currie said “I am delighted that the Government has asked Colette to take on this role. She brings an impressive set of skills and highly valuable experience to an organisation that has a very important agenda ahead. I am sure she will do an excellent job at Ofcom.”
The Government today invited the Business and Culture, Media and Sport Select Committees to hold a public scrutiny hearing with Dr Bowe, in line with Parliamentary procedures for public appointment.