Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
Tim Suter is an Independent Member of the Intellectual Property Office Steering Board. Tim established Perspective Associates in January 2008 offering specialist advice on strategic media policy and regulation to clients in broadcasting and media companies, government, and regulatory authorities in the UK and internationally.
In 2003 he was a founding Partner in the UKs media and communications regulator, Ofcom, responsible for all aspects of content regulation. Among the issues he handled was the reform of the rights framework for the independent production sector, an intervention widely acknowledged to have been the catalyst for the significant growth of the sector over the last decade.
Tim started his media career in the BBC, where over fifteen years he was variously a producer of drama and documentary, and a reporter and senior editor of news and current affairs programmes. In 1999 he joined the Department for Culture, Media and Sport as a specialist advisor to the Secretary of State, before being appointed Head of Broadcasting Policy, overseeing the 2003 Communications Act and the creation of the newly converged regulatory body, Ofcom.
This appointment is made by the Secretary of State. Board Members are paid 42,519 per annum.
This appointment has been made under the Cabinet Offices Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The Secretary of State has decided to appoint Tim Suter to the board of Ofcom for a four year period, commencing 2 October 2017.
In accordance with the Cabinet Offices Governance Code on Public Appointments, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Tim has declared no such political activity.