Appointment of new ASA Council members

13 October 2004

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has appointed four new members to its Council. The new members will join from November 1st, when the ASA takes over responsibility for regulating broadcast advertising from Ofcom, creating a 'one-stop shop' for advertising standards across all media.

The new members will increase the overall size of the Council to 15, with separate panels judging broadcast and non-broadcast complaints. Appointed by ASA Chairman, Lord Borrie QC, following public advertisement, three of the new members are independent of the advertising industry. They are: Chitra Bharucha, Consultant Haematologist, Neil Watts, Secondary School Headteacher and Alison Goodman, Fundraising Manager.
The fourth new member, Nigel Walmsley, Chairman of the Broadcasters' Audience Research Board (BARB) brings his experience of the advertising industry to the role.

Of the changes taking place and the addition of new members to the Council Lord Borrie said, "This is a pivotally important time in the ASA's history. The move to a 'one-stop shop' for advertising regulation will benefit consumers and the industry alike. I would like to welcome our four new members whom I believe will offer valued and balanced advice as we continue to take on the challenges of ensuring advertising standards are maintained."