Ofcom Board Representative for Northern Ireland

About Ofcom

Our client, Ofcom is the UK’s independent regulator and competition authority for the communications sector. It regulates telecommunications, wireless communications and spectrum, television and radio broadcasting, video‑sharing platforms and postal services, and – following the enactment of the Online Safety Act 2023 – has taken on significant new responsibilities to help make the internet a safer place. Ofcom is accountable to Parliament but operates independently of both government and the industries it regulates.

Operating at the forefront of the UK’s digital communications landscape, Ofcom has a statutory duty to further the interests of citizens and consumers, promote and enforce effective competition, and balance freedom of expression with appropriate protections for audiences. It regulates broadcasting across the United Kingdom, including oversight of the BBC, and ensures that news is reported with due accuracy and impartiality. In the telecommunications and postal sectors, Ofcom protects consumers, oversees universal service obligations, supports the delivery of new network infrastructure, and has responsibilities for the security and resilience of communications networks. Ofcom also ensures the effective use of radio spectrum and the availability of a wide range of electronic communications services, including broadband and mobile telephony, and exercises a broad and growing set of duties under the Online Safety Act 2023.

Role of the Board

The Ofcom Board currently comprises eleven Directors (including three Executive Directors).

The Ofcom Board has oversight of the fulfilment of Ofcom’s general duties and specific statutory responsibilities and its overall funding and expenditure. The Board is also responsible for approving the strategic objectives and priorities for Ofcom, agreeing an appropriate level of risk appetite, and ensuring management maintains an effective system of internal control. 

The Board operates on the principles of collective responsibility, support and respect. It takes decisions after considering recommendations made to it by the Ofcom Executive, which has operational responsibility for the running of the organisation and the implementation of strategy set by the Board. The work of both the Board and Executive is informed by the contribution of a number of advisory bodies.

The Ofcom Board typically meets ten times a year, including a strategy day and an annual visit to one of the devolved nations. Other Board meetings are generally held at Ofcom’s headquarters in London.

Ofcom Board Representative for Northern Ireland

Ofcom is seeking to recruit a Non-Executive Member to join its main Board as a representative for Northern Ireland. The individual will be appointed by the Minister for the Economy (following consultation with the DSIT Secretary of State) and will have the same UK-wide responsibilities as other Non-Executive Members of the Board; they will also meet with stakeholders, including those from the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly.  There are also members of the Board appointed by the devolved administrations to represent Scotland and Wales.

The appointee will be expected to participate in the Board’s discussions across Ofcom’s remit and be able to reflect and represent issues of particular relevance to Northern Ireland and consumers in Northern Ireland. A strong understanding of issues affecting Northern Ireland and consumers in Northern Ireland in the areas regulated by Ofcom will be essential, including the challenges that face less well served consumers, such as those living in remote rural areas. The appointee should also be familiar with engaging with Parliaments and Governments, including in a devolved context.

The appointee will be making sure that communications issues of particular relevance to Northern Ireland are brought to the Board’s attention and considered, working with Board colleagues from across the Nations, and informed by key stakeholders in Northern Ireland. The successful candidate will be expected to play a key role in respect of Ofcom’s Advisory Committee for Northern Ireland and be willing to chair it if called upon, in addition to attending meetings.

We are looking for applicants with knowledge and expertise in one or more areas of Ofcom’s regulatory remit and to support its governance requirements.

Candidates will be required to demonstrate the following general criteria:

• Demonstrable experience of contributing effectively, preferably as a Non-Executive Director, or as a senior manager in an organisation, providing constructive challenge and support across a broad and complex range of responsibilities.
• A strong and current understanding of issues affecting the communications sector in Northern Ireland. The ability to understand, consider and clearly articulate the diverse needs and views of citizens and consumers in Northern Ireland, including those who may be less well served or vulnerable.
• A knowledge and understanding of the political and constitutional context in Northern Ireland together with the ability to engage effectively with government, elected representatives and a wide range of stakeholders while maintaining independence and political impartiality.
• The ability to understand and engage with the commercial, economic and regulatory principles underpinning Ofcom’s remit, and to develop an informed understanding of unfamiliar or emerging issues across the communications and online sectors.
• Evidence of sound and independent judgement, including the ability to evaluate complex evidence, consider risk and contribute to collective decision-making in a complex organisation.
• A clear commitment to the highest standards of personal integrity, independence, confidentiality and public service.

Ofcom strives to be a forward-thinking, inclusive employer and recognises the value of diversity to truly “make communications work for everyone”. Ofcom and the Minister for the Economy wish this approach to be reflected at Board level, and we will welcome applications from suitably qualified applicants whatever their background, especially disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic background candidates as they are currently under-represented on our Board.

Term of office and time commitment

This appointment is for up to 4 years. The successful candidate must be prepared to commit up to two days per week. In addition to attending meetings of the Board, the new member will be expected to serve on and / or Chair one or more Board Committees.

Each of the short-listed candidates will have an opportunity to be briefed by senior officials, excluding any individuals who are directly or indirectly involved in the appointments process for this post. These briefings do not form part of the formal interview process.

Board Members must avoid any perception of, or actual, conflict of interest that cannot be managed and must declare any such actual or potential interests before taking up their appointment. Potential conflicts of interest will be considered as part of the appointment process.

The successful candidate will be expected to avoid conduct that might bring Ofcom into disrepute or create a perception of bias/lack of independence and impartiality. Board Members are required to comply with the Board’s Code of Conduct, which is attached as an annex, as well as the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. Members are expected to comply with all applicable current and future Codes of Conduct issued by Ofcom.

Members of the Board will be expected to show complete confidentiality in respect of information or materials supplied to them for the purposes of and in connection with their duties on the Board.

Remuneration

The fee for the role for up to 2 days a week is £42,519 per annum.

Expenses

All reasonable and properly documented expenses incurred in performing the duties of this role will be reimbursed in accordance with Ofcom’s expenses policy.

The Selection and Recruitment Process

Lucas Executive Search has been appointed to support this recruitment.

The Appointment Panel will be chaired by Ciaran McGarrity (Director of Economic Infrastructure, Department for the Economy), the other panel members will be Sir Ian Cheshire (Chair, Ofcom Board) and Angelina Fusco (Independent Panel Member). Finalist candidates may be required to meet with the Economy Minister.

Timetable (subject to change)

Reply Instructions

Please feel free in the first instance to contact Neal Lucas at Lucas Executive Search on 028 9268 8818 for a confidential discussion if you have any questions.  To apply for the role, you must submit a CV and cover letter, which demonstrates how your experience meets the criteria laid out above. Your cover letter should not exceed two sides of A4.  Applications must be sent to office@lucasrec.com, using the reference OFNI426 before the closing date of 23:59 on 28 September 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted.