Select committee: Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Conclusion 21
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)
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
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.