LONDON, April 8 (Reuters) - The British government on Wednesday said it had picked business leader Ian Cheshire to chair Ofcom, the media regulator that has a growing remit to protect users of online platforms from harm.

Cheshire, who will be appointed for a four-year term subject to a parliamentary hearing, was the chair of broadcaster Channel 4 until a year ago.

He has held a string of other senior board positions, including chief executive of retailer Kingfisher and chair of Barclays UK.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said Cheshire had a track record of leading complex organisations through periods of significant change.

"That is exactly the kind of leadership Ofcom needs right now," she said.

(Reporting by Paul Sandle; editing by James Davey)