Oxley (pictured), currently group director for competition and board member, will take up the interim chief exec role when Sharon White leaves the regulator at the end of November.

Oxley will become Ofcom’s accountable officer until a permanent successor is appointed to replace White, who is leaving to become chairman at John Lewis.

Ofcom is continuing its process of finding a permanent new chief executive, with the board expecting to announce an appointment after the general election on 12^th December.

Lord Burns, chairman of Ofcom, said: “Jonathan is extremely well equipped to step up to provide important continuity for Ofcom and the sectors it regulates.”