Julian Eccles has been appointed director of communications at Ofcom.

Eccles, previously director of communications and corporate affairs at Sky, replaces Matt Peacock who left the regulator earlier this month to become director of communications and marketing at BG Group.

"Julian brings specialist knowledge and broad experience to this critically important role," said Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards, to whom Eccles will report.

"This is one of the most fascinating and attractive jobs in the communications sector," said Eccles. "I look forward to contributing to the many different challenges Ofcom faces in the coming months and years."