Select Committee · Culture, Media and Sport Committee

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

Status: Closed Opened: 27 Jan 2025 Closed: 9 Mar 2026 1 recommendation 6 conclusions 1 report

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Second Report - Pre-appointment hearing for the Chair of th… HC 694 9 May 2025 7 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

7 items
18 Conclusion Second Report - Pre-appointment hearing… Accepted

Mr Kogan will prioritise appointing experienced leadership for the new 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 …

Government response. The government confirmed Mr Kogan's appointment and announced the appointment of Dame Helen Stephenson and Simon Levine as Non-Executive Directors, both bringing extensive relevant experience to the Regulator's Board.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
19 Conclusion Second Report - Pre-appointment hearing… Acknowledged

Mr Kogan has extensive experience leading businesses and serving on public boards

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 …

Government response. Confirms the appointment of David Kogan as Chair of the Independent Football Regulator, following the endorsement of his appointment by the committee.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
20 Conclusion Second Report - Pre-appointment hearing… Acknowledged

Mr Kogan unable to provide clear performance criteria for his Chairmanship

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 …

Government response. Confirms the appointment of David Kogan as Chair of the Independent Football Regulator, following the endorsement of his appointment by the committee.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
21 Conclusion Second Report - Pre-appointment hearing… Acknowledged

Mr Kogan’s past political donations risk perceived bias, potentially undermining regulator’s independence

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 …

Government response. The government acknowledged the committee's concerns about Mr Kogan's perceived political bias, expressing confidence that he will act impartially and stressing the importance of the regulator's independence.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
22 Conclusion Second Report - Pre-appointment hearing… Accepted

Committee endorses David Kogan OBE’s appointment as Independent Football Regulator Chair

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.

Government response. The government confirmed David Kogan's appointment as Chair of the Independent Football Regulator, noting the committee's endorsement.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
23 Recommendation Second Report - Pre-appointment hearing… Acknowledged

Require Mr Kogan to take concrete steps to reassure football community of impartiality

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 …

Government response. The government acknowledged the committee's recommendation for Mr Kogan to take concrete steps to ensure political impartiality, expressing confidence that he will take the recommendation seriously.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
24 Conclusion Second Report - Pre-appointment hearing… Acknowledged

Committee anticipates working constructively and holding Mr Kogan to account

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

Government response. Confirms the appointment of David Kogan as Chair of the Independent Football Regulator, following the endorsement of his appointment by the committee.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Oral evidence sessions

1 session
Date Witnesses
7 May 2025 David Kogan OBE View ↗

Correspondence

1 letter
DateDirectionTitle
20 May 2025 To cttee Letter from Rt Hon Lisa Nandy MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Spo…