Pre-appointment hearing for the Chair of the Independent Football Regulator

One of our concerns before our hearing was Mr Kogan’s lack of regulatory experience and how this would impact his ability to adequately set up a new regulatory body. He was able to address some of our concerns and reassure the Committee that he will prioritise helping appoint a CEO and Executive Board with the relevant experience to assist in establishing a new and effective framework. His other priorities for the organisation suggested a measured and accurate analysis of what would be expected from the regulator in the first 18 months.

Aside from his experience in media and broadcasting, Mr Kogan has experience leading some large and small businesses and as a non- executive director in public bodies such as Channel 4 and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. He has chaired Kogan Page, a family publishing company, LabourList and Westminster Kingsway Corporation.

When asked in written evidence about criteria the Committee should use to judge his performance as Chair over his term in office, he was unable to provide a clear response. We explored measures of success in his hearing and, if appointed, we intend to hear from Mr Kogan and the Independent Football Regulator regularly during the course of this Parliament.

The independence of the regulator is vital to ensure that it can gain the confidence of all those involved in football. While political activity does not disqualify individuals from public appointments, Mr Kogan’s donations to and involvement with the Labour Party has already given rise to concerns about his independence from Government. We recognise that Mr Kogan has confirmed he will cease making any political donations and that his public service and interest in the role has spanned the tenure of governments of different political colours. Nonetheless, there remains a risk that he will be perceived as having political bias, which may undermine the regulator in its infancy. 7

We are content to endorse David Kogan OBE’s appointment as Chair of the Independent Football Regulator, recognising his vast experience in the football and media sectors.

We acknowledge that there are concerns around his political impartiality and past donations to the Labour Party, including the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. We welcome his transparency and candour but recommend, in taking this role, he takes concrete steps to reassure the football community that he will act impartially and in a politically neutral way.

We look forward to working with him constructively and holding him to account. 8