The Brownite Labour peer Lord Currie of Marylebone is to be the chairman of media super-regulator Ofcom.

The government has announced that Lord Currie, who has been a Labour peer since 1996, will take up the £133,000 four-days-a-week post. The appointment will last for five years.

He will be responsible for overseeing the merger of five existing regulatory bodies and will take responsibility for overseeing some of the UK's biggest and most influential companies, including BT, BSkyB and the BBC.

The appointment has been approved by trade secretary, Patricia Hewitt, and culture secretary, Tessa Jowell.

Ministers stressed that the decision was made in line with the Nolan rules on public appointments.

Jowell said Lord Currie was "an outstanding choice" who would have the confidence of the industry.

Hewitt welcomed the appointment saying: "David Currie will bring a wealth of experience and strength of commitment and integrity to the job. His expertise in the principles of regulation, coupled with the experience he has gained at Ofgem, will provide Ofcom with a flying start."

Lord Currie said he was "honoured and delighted" to take on the role.

"The UK is leading the world in establishing an integrated, world-class regulator that will set the conditions for the UK communications industry to flourish. I relish the opportunity to make that happen," he said.

Currently dean of City University's business school, Lord Currie has been a former chairman of Charter 88, a Treasury adviser and has worked for energy regulator Ofgem.

However, with both BBC chairman, Gavyn Davies, and director general, Greg Dyke, known to be Labour supporters, the new appointment has renewed fears that the government is handing top media jobs to its allies.

The Conservatives said the appointment was "blatant cronyism".

"The role of chairman of Ofcom is hugely important, and while there is no doubt that Lord Currie has many qualifications for the job, many people will undoubtedly see his appointment as another example of Labour cronyism," said shadow culture secretary John Whittingdale.

"The reality is that Lord Currie will have to work hard to dispel the image of having gained his appointment through his relationship with senior figures in the government, rather than because of his background and experience."

Following his appointment Lord Currie has resigned the Labour whip in the Lords and has resigned as a member of the Labour Party.

Ofcom combines the responsibilities of the Broadcasting Standards Commission, the Independent Television Commission, the Office of Telecommunications, the Radio Authority and the Radiocommunications Agency.

The chairman and Ofcom board will be responsible for administrating the new regulatory regime set out in the draft Communications Bill.