The previous Conservative government appointed Michael Grade, a Tory peer, as chair in 2022. His term ends on April 26, and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, which is leading the recruitment process, hopes to announce his replacement before then.
The interview panel, which is made up of civil servants and independent members, will now hand Technology Secretary Liz Kendall a shortlist of approved candidates.
Former Conservative Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright is also in the running, according to the same two people quoted above. Wright, one of the architects of the Online Safety Act (OSA), has been critical of Ofcom’s implementation of the flagship law.
The Telegraph newspaper has reported Channel 4’s former Chairman Ian Cheshire is also on the shortlist.
Kendall has also been critical of Ofcom for not implementing parts of the OSA quickly enough. She warned last November that it risks losing public trust.
Ofcom, which also regulates TV and radio, is about to embark on a major review of the telecoms sector, which is being upended by developments in artificial intelligence and satellite technology.
A DSIT spokesperson said they were unable to comment on the recruitment process. Hodge did not immediately respond to a request for comment.