Sir Christopher Meyer has announced that Professor Robert Pinker will be retiring as a lay member of the Commission on 31st July. Professor Pinker is the longest serving member of the PCC, having joined on its inception in 1991. He was Acting Chairman between January 2002 and March 2003.

Sir Christopher said:

"Bob Pinker's contribution to the success of the PCC over the last thirteen years has been immense. As a founding member, he helped to get us started. As Acting Chairman, he provided skilful leadership at a potentially difficult time. And throughout his tenure he has been a voice of common sense and wisdom at Commission meetings. Bob is a true friend of self-regulation, both in terms of all his work at Salisbury Square and his tireless activity spreading the word both here and abroad about everything we do".

Professor Pinker said:

"It has been a great pleasure to serve as a member of the PCC since its establishment in 1991. In the early years we came through some difficult times but, with good leadership and team spirit, we made self-regulation a success story in the UK. There is still much more to do, and I am greatly looking forward to my future work on the international scene and in helping with the lecture programme on the home front".

Sir Christopher also announced the appointment of Adam Phillips as a new lay member of the Commission. Mr Phillips, a market research Consultant, has extensive experience of regulation of the market research industry, and is currently the Chair of the ESOMAR Professional Standards Committee.

Sir Christopher said:

"I am very pleased that Adam Phillips is joining the Commission, where his broad experience of industry regulation will be welcomed by his fellow Commissioners. His appointment - which comes after the Commission advertised in newspapers across the United Kingdom - underlines the Commission's commitment to fair and transparent recruitment procedures".

Adam Phillips said:

"These are interesting times to be joining the Commission, with renewed scrutiny of the manner in which it balances the rights of members of the public on the one hand with the freedom of the press on the other. I am looking forward to contributing to that important balancing act".

Notes

1. Lay members of the Commission are appointed following public advertisement and interview, followed by ratification by an independent Appointments Commission. Members of the Appointments Commission are Sir Christopher Meyer; Lord Mayhew of Twysden; Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill; Sir David Clementi and Philip Graf CBE.

2. There are seventeen members of the Commission. Ten members - including the Chairman - are lay Commissioners who have no connection to the industry, while seven are drawn from among the ranks of senior editors in the national and regional press, and from periodicals.

3. Professor Pinker is Professor Emeritus in Social Administration at LSE. He will retain a consultancy role at the PCC.

4. Adam Phillips's appointment takes effect from 1st August 2004.

5. ESOMAR is the world association of market research professionals.