Jacquie Hughes
About Jacquie Hughes
Jacquie Hughes serves as the Director of Content Policy at Ofcom and has held various roles in the UK government and media sectors. With extensive experience in content regulation, journalism, and policy consultancy, she has contributed to significant discussions on digital rights and media standards.
Current Role at Ofcom
Jacquie Hughes serves as the Director of Content Policy at Ofcom, a position she has held since 2016. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing content regulation and policy development within the UK media landscape. Hughes has been invited to create a new operating licence for the BBC and to monitor its performance, reflecting her significant influence in shaping media policy. Her work at Ofcom emphasizes the importance of regulatory standards and public value in broadcasting.
Previous Experience in Government
Prior to her current roles, Jacquie Hughes worked at the UK Civil Service as the Consultant Intelligence Lead for the UK Government from 2020 to 2021. This position involved strategic advisory roles within the civil service. Additionally, she has served as a Senior Adviser in the UK government since 2021, contributing her expertise to various governmental initiatives and policies.
Educational Background
Jacquie Hughes studied at the University of the Arts, London, where she focused on Business Studies, Media Law, and Journalism, earning a degree in Communications from 1981 to 1984. She furthered her education at Ashridge Business School, completing a course in Leadership and Management from 2004 to 2005. This educational foundation supports her extensive career in media and policy.
Media and Broadcasting Career
Hughes has a long-standing career in media, having worked in various capacities at the BBC from 2000 to 2009. Her roles included Managing Editor for Documentaries and History, Executive Editor for Specialist Factual, and Independent Commissioner for Religion, Arts, Music, and Performance Television. She also held the position of Head of Commercial Programmes Unit at BBC Television for a year. Her experience in broadcasting has shaped her understanding of media regulation and content policy.
Consultancy and Advisory Roles
In addition to her role at Ofcom, Jacquie Hughes is involved in several consultancy and advisory positions. She has been a Board Member and Fellow at ForHumanity since 2020, focusing on ethical considerations in technology. Hughes also serves as a Policy Consultant at 5Rights, where she addresses issues related to digital rights and child safety online. Her consultancy work reflects her commitment to addressing emerging challenges in media and technology.