Two new members appointed to Independent Complaints Panel

Two new members have been appointed to the Independent Complaints Panel – the independent body which considers complaints about irresponsible alcohol marketing made under the Portman Group’s Code of Practice.

Professor Isabelle Szmigin

Professor Isabelle Szmigin and Professor Roy Light are joining the Panel following a recruitment process.

Szmigin is Professor of Marketing at Birmingham Business School, and her research interests lie primarily in the areas of consumer research, services, ethical and social marketing.

Light is a specialist licensing barrister based at St John’s Chambers, Bristol and Professor Emeritus at Bristol Law School. He has researched, written and practiced on alcohol-related matters for some 30 years.

Sir Richard Tilt,  chairman of the Independent Complaints Panel who made the appointments said: “Isabelle and Roy will bring a great depth of experience to the Independent Complaints Panel in terms of their research and legal backgrounds. Panel members play a key role in upholding the strict standards that are set for alcohol marketing in the UK and it is important that we have a diverse membership to consider complaints about irresponsible alcohol marketing and promotions.”

Each appointment is for a fixed term of three years with the option to carry on for a second three-year term.