New Year Honours: Former Ofcom head Sharon White becomes dame

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Sharon White, the former head of the UK telecoms regulator Ofcom, has been recognised on the New Year Honours list.

Ms White was chief executive of Ofcom for four years, during which she oversaw the regulator taking on more responsibilities.

She was made a Dame for her "public service" at Ofcom.

Ms White said she was "very grateful" for the award and paid tribute to her former colleagues.

"This is really a recognition of the hard work and dedication of my colleagues at Ofcom," she said, in a short statement.

Ofcom is the UK's telecoms regulator, overseeing telephone and broadband services, mobile networks, and television and radio broadcasts.

During Ms White's time in charge, Ofcom became the first external regulator of the BBC. Previously, complaints had been handled by the BBC Trust.

Ms White left Ofcom in November 2019 to become chair of the John Lewis retail group.

Other people connected to the technology industry named on the list included:

British honours are awarded on merit, for exceptional achievement or service.