Lord Michael Grade will continue as chair of the Fundraising Regulator until the end of 2018, the regulator has confirmed.

Grade was initially appointed to the role in November 2015 on an interim basis, but his term was extended in January until the end of June. It has now been renewed a second time until the end of 2018, a spokesman for the regulator said.

Grade attracted criticism from sector leaders last week when he said too many charities were proving to be “laggards” in terms of improving their fundraising practices.

He then gave out incorrect information about the Fundraising Preference Service, mistakenly saying it would allow people to block contact from all charities at once, rather than specific charities.

A spokesman for the regulator said: “Initially board members were appointed for two-year terms. Their terms are now being staggered so that not all members retire at the same time.

“New board members – including, when the time comes, a new chair – will be recruited openly, as happened recently with the board member for Wales and as will be the case soon with a board member for Northern Ireland.”

Grade works as chair at least four days a month and is paid £500 for each day he works.

Stephen Dunmore, the regulator’s interim chief executive is also expected to remain in post until the end of the year, having previously agreed to stay until the end of September.

The spokesman said the appointment of a new chief executive would also be subject to open competition.