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Ofcom’s Ed Richards applies for BBC DG role

Ofcom's Ed Richards as BBC DG?
Ofcom's Ed Richards as BBC DG?

Ofcom’s Chief Executive Ed Richards has applied for the role of BBC’s Director General, which will be vacant this summer when Mark Thompson steps down.

A statement from Ofcom said, “Given the significant level of speculation surrounding potential applicants for the BBC Director General role, Ofcom can confirm that CEO Ed Richards has applied. Robust procedures, agreed by the Ofcom Chairman and the Board, have been put in place to prevent any potential conflict of interest.”

Richards has already moved away from dealing with Ofcom matters involving the BBC including board meetings and both formal and informal policy discussions.

Richards has been with Ofcom since 2003. He became the Chief Executive of the media regulator in 2006, prior to this he was Chief Operating Officer and Senior Partner. He has also worked at the BBC in the late 90s as its Controller of Corporate Strategy.

BBC Radio boss Tim Davie and former Radio 4 controller Helen Boaden are other potential names as Thompson’s replacements.