New ASA Council Member Appointed

24 May 2007

Lord Borrie QC, has made a new appointment to the ASA Council. David Harker, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice will join Council as an independent member from 1 June 2007. He will adjudicate on broadcast complaints.

Mr Harker has served as Chief Executive of Citizens Advice – the body that leads and supports the nationwide network of Citizens Advice Bureaux – since 1997. Before joining Citizens Advice, Mr Harker was Managing Director of Sense – a charitable organisation providing services for people who are both deaf and blind. His earlier career included management consultancy and positions within the voluntary sector, charitable organisations and local government.

Mr Harker received an OBE for his services to the voluntary sector in 2003.

Welcoming Mr Harker to his new role, Lord Borrie said “I am sure that David will make an excellent addition to the ASA Council. His considerable and varied experience within the voluntary sector will ensure that he will make a valuable contribution to the Council’s work and decisions.”

Two-thirds of the 15-strong Council are Independent members. Mr Harker replaces Chitra Bharucha who resigned from Council following her appointment to the BBC Trust.