Select committee: Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Conclusion 18
Second Report - Pre-appointment hearing for the Chair of the Independent Football Regulator
Published 9 May 2025
Addressed to Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee Pre-appointment hearing for the Chair of the Independent Football Regulator All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Conclusion (the committee's words)
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.
From: Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Second Report - Pre-appointment hearing for the Chair of the Independent Football Regulator (HC 694), 9 May 2025
Government response
The government responded to the whole report on 6 October 2025 (deadline 9 July 2025).
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The Minister confirms the appointment of David Kogan as Chair of the Independent Football Regulator, following the Committee's endorsement, while the Commissioner for Public Appointments' inquiry into the process is still awaited.
- The Minister says the Department "initially sought to wait" for the Commissioner's inquiry, but that "real world consequences caused by further delays" meant the leadership needed confirming now.
- On the inquiry, the Minister says the Department will ensure any recommendations from the Commissioner are "carefully considered" once the final report is published; its timing is "a matter for the Commissioner".
- The Minister notes the Committee's comments on Mr Kogan's transparency about past political donations and the need to reassure the football community of his impartiality, and says she is "confident" he will take the recommendation seriously and act on it.
- The Minister also confirms Dame Helen Stephenson and Simon Levine as Non-Executive Directors of the Regulator.