Former Culture Secretary Chris Smith to be next ASA Chairman

13 November 2006

Asbof and Basbof, the bodies responsible for financing the self-regulatory system, have this week announced that they have appointed the Rt Hon Lord Smith of Finsbury as the next ASA Chairman. Lord Smith will succeed current ASA Chairman, Lord Borrie QC on 1 July 2007.

Lord Smith was Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and a member of the Cabinet from 1997 - 2001. He has held a wide variety of senior appointments in public service and in the arts, culture, media and other creative industries.

Announcing the new appointment, Winston Fletcher, Chairman of both asbof and basbof, said the boards "greatly welcome Chris Smith's acceptance of our invitation to become Chairman of the ASA. We are absolutely delighted to have someone of the stature and experience of Chris Smith to follow Gordon Borrie. We have no doubt he will make as outstanding a contribution to the future of the ASA as Gordon Borrie himself has made during his six years in office."

Lord Smith has said of his new position: "The ASA is an example of self-regulation working at its best. It has a distinguished record of keeping the work of advertisers and advertising - one of our most important creative industries - on the right road. I look forward to taking forward its important work."

Lord Borrie, who was appointed ASA Chairman in January 2001 has said of his successor: "I am delighted to hear that Chris Smith is to be the new Chairman of the ASA. He has had a distinguished career in public service and the arts. He is fair minded and effective."

Andrew Brown, Chairman of CAP and BCAP said: "The advertising business has been fortunate in having a history of outstanding individuals chairing the ASA not least with the current Chairman, Lord Borrie.  I am delighted that this tradition will continue with Lord Smith accepting the industry's invitation to take over from Gordon Borrie when he stands down in the middle of 2007.

Chris Smith has a record of great support for the advertising industry's system of effective self-regulation.  He will bring to the ASA, and to the wider business, a superb combination of skills and experience and is brilliantly equipped to meet the challenges ahead."

Lord Borrie announced his intention to retire in April 2006. Lord Smith was selected from a large number of highly qualified candidates that responded to an ad, placed in June 2006, that sought to find Lord Borrie's successor.