Surprise as Ofcom reveals media 'unknown' as Scottish director

Published on Sunday 4 April 2004 01:00

OFCOM, the media and communications watchdog, has finally named a director for Scotland, but the appointment has taken many in the industry by surprise.

Dr Vicki Nash, formerly chief executive of East Dunbartonshire Council, begins her new job tomorrow, with the remit of policing Scotland’s media and communications industry. Dr Nash, who lists her hobbies in Who’s Who in Scotland as "singing, swimming and cats" will be guided by Ofcom’s acting director in Scotland, Alan Stewart, until she formerly takes over later this month.

Nash was director of Scottish Water and Sewerage Customers’ Council before joining East Dunbartonshire Council. She gained a PhD at Stirling University and worked with the Scottish Office, the Scottish Microelectrics Development Programme and Fife Regional Council.

The long-awaited appointment was greeted with surprise by some in the media who had not heard of Nash, although many went on to say that this is not necessarily a bad thing, since the 47-year-old will, after all, be there to regulate them.

Others welcomed Nash’s appointment but pointed out the importance of her new job.

Stuart Cosgrove, Channel 4’s director of nations and regions, said: "Ofcom has been slow to appoint but it is always wise to wait for a strong appointment, and Vicki is a good booking. She will have to convince people that this is more than good corporate affairs and that her voice will be heard in London.

"Channel 4 and Ofcom have a busy year ahead and we look forward to shaping a public service broadcast settlement that works for Scotland."

Another media industry insider said: "While we don’t know her, that might not be a bad thing. She comes to the job with no baggage and clearly knows her way around the workings of a regulator."

A spokesman for BT Scotland said the telecoms group welcomed the appointment. It is understood that executives at BT Scotland are optimistic about the appointment, having worked with Nash when she was with the council.

The appointment ends the drawn-out attempt by Ofcom - which controls Britain’s 40bn communications industry - to find a director in Scotland.

In January, Scotland on Sunday revealed that Ofcom was struggling to find someone after two candidates shortlisted for the post were rejected. The post was re-advertised that month.

Nash, who was unavailable for an interview, said in a statement: "I am looking forward to the opportunity to create a new structure for the regulation of communications in Scotland to serve citizens/consumers to best effect."