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Select committee: Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee

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

HC 694 Published 9 May 2025

Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee Pre-appointment hearing for the Chair of the Independent Football Regulator Report on parliament.uk ↗

At a glance1 recommendation and 6 conclusions · Government response published 6 October 2025 (deadline 9 July 2025)

The government's response

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.

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error

Sources

Recommendations and conclusions 7

  1. 18
    Mr Kogan will prioritise appointing experienced leadership for the new football regulator Conclusion · addressed to Department for Culture, Media and Sport 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.
  2. 19
    Mr Kogan has extensive experience leading businesses and serving on public boards Conclusion · addressed to Department for Culture, Media and Sport Conclusion (the committee's words)
    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.
  3. 20
    Mr Kogan unable to provide clear performance criteria for his Chairmanship Conclusion · addressed to Department for Culture, Media and Sport Conclusion (the committee's words)
    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.
  4. 21
    Mr Kogan’s past political donations risk perceived bias, potentially undermining regulator’s independence Conclusion · addressed to Department for Culture, Media and Sport 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
  5. 22
    Committee endorses David Kogan OBE’s appointment as Independent Football Regulator Chair Conclusion · addressed to Department for Culture, Media and Sport Conclusion (the committee's words)
    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.
  6. 23
    Require Mr Kogan to take concrete steps to reassure football community of impartiality Recommendation · addressed to Department for Culture, Media and Sport Recommendation (the committee's words)
    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.
  7. 24
    Committee anticipates working constructively and holding Mr Kogan to account Conclusion · addressed to Department for Culture, Media and Sport Conclusion (the committee's words)
    We look forward to working with him constructively and holding him to account. 8