How Ofcom is run

Ofcom Board

Ofcom’s main decision making body is the Board, which provides strategic direction for the organisation.
It has a Non-Executive Chairman, Executive Directors (including the Chief Executive), and Non-Executive Directors.
The Executive runs the organisation and answers to the Board.
The Ofcom Board meets a least once a month (with the exception of August). Agendas and notes of meetings are published regularly on the Ofcom website.

Executive Committee (ExCo)

Exco is Ofcom’s senior executive team. It meets each month and is responsible for setting Ofcom’s direction and overseeing the management of the organisation.

Policy Executive (PE)

PE meets weekly and is responsible for the development of Ofcom’s overall regulatory agenda. As well as providing a forum for discussion, it also has the powers to take certain decisions itself.

Spectrum Clearance and Awards Programme Management Board

The Spectrum Clearance and Awards Management Board meets fortnightly and oversees delivery of Ofcom’s Spectrum Clearance and Awards programme for the 800 MHz and 2.6 GHz frequency bands.

Operations Board

The Operations Board manages the operations areas within Ofcom including Central Operations, which deals with thousands of consumers each week through its advisory, consumer services and licensing teams.
The role of the Operations Board is to support, guide and challenge Ofcom’s operational performance. It meets fortnightly and reports directly to ExCo.

Content Board

The Content Board is a committee of the main Board and it sets and enforces quality and standards for television and radio.
It has members representing each of the countries in the UK, and includes both lay members and members with extensive broadcasting experience.
It is charged with understanding, analysing and championing the voices and interest of the viewer, the listener and citizen.

Committees

The work of both the Ofcom Board and Executive is informed by the contribution of a number of committees and advisory bodies, which are required by the Communications Act.

These include the Communications Consumer Panel, the England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales Advisory Committees, the Ofcom Spectrum Advisory Board and the Older Persons and Disabled Persons Advisory Committee

Ofcom in the Nations and Regions

Ofcom has a statutory duty to take into account in its decisions the views and interests of those who live in different parts of the UK.

Our operations in the Nations are led by a senior Director in Glasgow, Cardiff, Belfast and London. An advisory committee in each Nation provides Ofcom with detailed and expert insights into the particular challenges faced by citizens and consumers in different parts of the UK.

Policies and Guidelines

Annual reports and plans

Organisations we work with

Ofcom organisation chart by reporting structure