Steve Unger takes over as Ofcom CEO

Steve Unger has been appointed as the new interim Chief Executive Officer set regulator Ofcom until the position is filled permanently in early 2015. Unger will replace Ed Richards, the current CEO, who has announced he is leaving his position at the end of the year. Unger, who holds a Master’s degree in Physics and a PhD in AstroPhysics, has previously held Director roles at Manet Telecom and the Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes.

Steve Unger is currently the Director of Strategy, International, Technology and Economist group at Ofcom and has been with the company (in several disguises) since 2001. Unger, who originally joined Ofcom’s predecessor Oftel, has served numerous positions at the regulator including becoming their Chief Technology Officer in 2009 before taking up his current position in 2012.

Richards, the man Unger will replace, originally joined the Ofcom board back in March 2003 and became the Chief Operating Officer two years later. In October 2006, he then took a further step up and replaced then-chief executive Stephen Carter and announcing his decision to step down early last month, Richards said it was simply the right time to move on.

With Ofcom facing challenges and many people saying the regulator has failed consumers over matters such as 4G coverage and customer complaints, the months ahead are likely to be eventful for both Unger and Ofcom.