Stephen Carter, former managing director of cable company NTL, has been confirmed as inaugural chief executive of Ofcom, the new media super-regulator, writes Wale Azeez.
The appointment has surprised the broadcasting industry, many of whom considered Independent Television Commission (ITC) chief executive Patricia Hodgson a shoo-in for the job.
Before his stint at NTL, Carter was UK chief executive of advertising agency J Walter Thompson after starting as a graduate trainee, and had been considered for a number of high-profile media appointments since leaving NTL last year, including chief executive of Emap and Channel 5.
Alongside Ofcom chairman Lord Currie, Carter will be responsible for adjudicating on spectrum allocation, issues of public service remit, taste and decency, as well as competition.
Wale Azeez
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog