Ofcom chief Ed Richards to step down

Ofcom has announced that its chief executive of eight years, Ed Richards, is to leave the organisation at the end of the year.

Richards became CEO in October 2006 and has led Ofcom through some notable telecoms challenges, ranging from superfast broadband rollouts, the introduction of 4G services and the digital switch-over from analogue TV.

Richards does not have another appointment lined up, and said in a statement that, having been at the organisation for eight years, he felt it was time to move on.

"It has been a privilege to lead Ofcom during such an exciting and dynamic period in the evolution of the UK’s communications sector," he added.

Ofcom chairman Patricia Hodgson thanked Richards for his time and hard work during his tenure.

"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," she said.

Ofcom will advertise for a replacement, and a public job listing is expected soon. The organisation hopes to appoint a replacement by early 2015.

The successor to Richards will face many more challenges in the future, ranging from spectrum management as more services come online, such as 5G, to the rise of the Internet of Things and the strain this will place on networks.

Problems concerning any BBC licence fee change, fibre access pricing and a new European telecoms regime will also be high on the agenda for the next chief executive.

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• OfCom
• 4G