Whitehead joins the regulator from the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum (DRCF) where she served as chief executive since last November and will take charge of Ofcom’s Online Safety Group from April 2023 as it prepares for new duties to help create a safer life online.
The Online Safety Bill, currently before Parliament, will hand Ofcom a remit and powers to help create a safer life online. The Bill is expected to become law in the spring, started what Ofcom described as “an intensive period of work” as it establishes regulations that will hold tech firms to account for prioritising their users’ safety.
Whitehead led the DRCF as it was set up to harness the collective expertise of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and Ofcom.
Before leading the DRCF, Whitehead was a member of Google’s UK Management Group, leading specialist teams in data science, analytics, measurement and UX. She previously led Google’s consumer and market insights function across Europe, Middle East and Africa and spent eight years as a member of Channel 4’s Executive Team, where she created and led the broadcaster’s data strategy and Audience Technologies & Insight division.
Commenting on her new role, Whitehead said:”Being online brings huge benefits, but right now it also comes with risk. Over time we can achieve a safer life online for everyone, and I’ve been impressed at how quickly Ofcom has developed its skills and brought in talent from across the tech sector. It will be a real privilege for me to lead those teams.”
Having started her career as an economist for the Bank of England and then Deloitte, Whitehead also holds non-executive roles at Informa, Camelot UK the operator of The National Lottery, and the British Olympic Association
At the regulator, Whitehead will report to chief executive Dame Melanie Dawes, who said she was “a terrific appointment for Ofcom”,
Dame Dawes added: “Gill brings experience of expert leadership in data and technology, spanning the public and private sectors, including senior roles at the one of the world’s largest tech firms. Ofcom is continuing to get ready by hiring more tech and data experts, and developing our approach to enforcing these new laws.
“I’d also like to put on record my thanks to Kevin Bakhurst, our Group Director for Broadcasting and Online Content, who has led our online safety preparations so effectively until now. Kevin will continue in his current role until early next year, before returning to lead Ofcom’s broadcasting work.”
