You have been at the PCC for 13 years. What is it about the organisation that has encouraged you to stay for so long?

It's a fascinating place where your mind is constantly broadened by dealing with the widest range of people imaginable, and where you are challenged by new and different ethical dilemmas every day. It's also great fun. The PCC receives its fair share of criticisms, but one of the strangest this year was when Helena Kennedy - in a random outburst published on the Guardian website - said the PCC staff were disillusioned. Staff morale has always been high and that's one of the reasons I've stayed so long.

What has been your proudest achievement / highlight as Director?

Being part of a team that has entrenched the PCC as the most suitable way of regulating editorial content has been hugely satisfying, because it is essential that the press remains free from any form of government control. It's an ongoing battle that can never be declared over, however, and the current benign political attitudes towards the PCC cannot be taken for granted.

How would you say the PCC has developed over the years that you have been here?

It's more proactive and puts more emphasis on prevention rather than cure. In other words, it has never been busier at protecting people's privacy, but its work is discreet - just what you need if you are worried about an intrusive story appearing in the press. I have never understood why some people insist that the main work on privacy now goes on in the courts. It must be wishful thinking on the part of lawyers.

As Director, you act as Secretary to the Commission and sit in on all Commission meetings. Can you give us an insider's view on how decisions are made, and how debates tend to be characterised?

Commissioners spend hours discussing the merits of the cases they see - and there is never the editorial/public member split that some people assume. There's also more humour than you might expect. For a large group of people (there are 17 members of the Commission) it is also remarkable how frequently consensus is achieved. Common sense tends to win the day.

What would you say the PCC's main challenges are as it goes into 2010?

Well, the political scene will be quite lively. We know that the Select Committee is publishing its report early in the year, and there will of course be a general election. Both of these may impact on the PCC in one way or another. Dealing with the ever-increasing number of complaints will bring its own challenges, and there is the ongoing debate about how a converged media should be regulated, which the PCC will be at the heart of.

What advice would you give to your successor, Stephen Abell?

It's great news that Stig - as he is known - is taking over. It's a great job and I hope he enjoys it, but I also don't think he needs any advice from me (not in public anyway).

Lastly, what are you going on to do? What will you miss most about the PCC?

I've been planning for over a year now to have a sabbatical - and I'm going to spend the time travelling around the world, as well as learning one or two new things. I'll be popping up again in the middle of next year, but you'll have to wait to see what I'll be doing! It will obviously draw on my experience here though...

I'll miss the great range of people and things the PCC deals with - and the gossip, of course.