Caroline Thomson, the BBC’s former Chief Operating Officer, has been appointed the new chair of Digital UK.
Thomson, who represented the BBC on the Digital UK board for six years to 2012 will take up the role on January 1, 2013, succeeding Barry Cox who is retiring after seven years in the post. In taking the post she effectively rules herself out as a possible replacement for BBC director-general George Entwistle, who resigned last Satuday.
David Scott, Chief Executive of Digital UK, said: ‘Caroline has been a huge supporter of Digital UK since the company was founded, so I am delighted she has now agreed to be our chair as we take on new challenges. I would also like to thank Barry Cox for the vital role he played in helping steward us through the successful delivery of television switchover.’
Digital UK led the UK’s five-year switchover programme, which completed on October 24.
The company is now managing the clearance of TV signals from parts of the 800MHz band of spectrum that will be used for 4G services, and is merging with DMOL, the organization that provides provide day-to-day technical management of the Freeview Electronic Programme Guide (EPG).