Independent Press Standards Organisation names board line-up
The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), the newspaper industry’s own set of plans for independent self-regulation, has announced its twelve-strong board line-up.
IPSO, which is made up of the major UK national newspapers, excluding the Guardian and the Financial Times, has named the vice president of the European Magazine Marketing Association, a former managing editor of The Sun and a co-founder of Innocent smoothies amongst those to join the board.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, IPSO said the board will meet soon and start work so that it is ready to act as the regulator in September.
Until IPSO formally starts work as the regulator, the Press Complaints Commission will continue with its existing functions and responsibilities.
“The new Board contains distinguished people from different walks of life and with a mix of skills and achievements that will, I believe, ensure the new regulator will be able to build the trust of the public,” said Sir Hayden Phillips, chair of the selection panel.
“I was delighted that there was such a large and strong field of candidates from which the Panel was able to select. I am confident the new Directors have the stature and experience to bring into being a tough and independent regulator that will stand the test of time.”
The full board includes:
Ros Altmann – an independent expert on pensions policy, a frequent media commentator on pensions issues, a renowned consumer champion and former director general of the Saga Group.
Kevin Hand – currently vice president of EMMA, the European Magazine Marketing Association and deputy chair of the Professional Publisher Association, having previously acted as chair.
Rick Hill – Chair of the General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland. He has previously been chair of Northern Ireland Screen Commission, chair of Consumer Focus Post and member of the Consumer Focus UK Board, a member of the BBC Audience Council for Northern Ireland and BBC Broadcasting Council for Northern Ireland.
Anne Lapping – vice chairman of the Council and Court of the London School of Economics. She began her career as a reporter working for New Society and the Economist, before jointly founding the TV production company Brook Productions.
Charles McGhee – the former editor of The Herald in Glasgow, is an Honorary Professor in Journalism and Media at Glasgow Caledonian University.
William Newman – a former managing editor of The Sun, he previously worked with a number of newspapers including The Guardian, Sunday Times and Observer. William was a member of the International Organisation of News Ombudsmen, and he is currently a trustee and former chairman of the Journalists’ Charity.
Keith Perch – a former editor of the Leicester Mercury, the Derby Telegraph and the South Wales Echo, Cardiff.
Tom Phillips – a former UK Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He previously spent thirty years with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in a wide range of senior roles, including as British Ambassador to Israel and the UK’s Special Representative in Afghanistan.
Richard Reed – co-founder of Innocent, the smoothie brand. Richard currently runs JamJar Investments, which supports entrepreneurs to build successful businesses.
Dame Clare Tickell – chief executive of Hanover Housing Association, she was previously chief executive of Action for Children.
Charles Wilson – the former managing director of the Mirror Group Newspapers. Prior to this role he edited a number of newspapers including The Times, Independent, the Scottish Sunday Standard, Glasgow Herald and the Chicago Sun Times.
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