The Appointments Panel is responsible for appointing IPSO’s Chairman and Board as well as the lay members of the Editors’ Code of Practice Committee and plays an essential role in securing IPSO’s independence.

Victor Olowe is a governance consultant and former Chief Executive of the Council for Licensed Conveyancers with expertise in professional regulation, consumer protection, risk management and governance issues. He also serves as Non-Executive Director/Member in a number of organisations including Chair of the CGMA Examination Board at CIMA/AICPA and Chair of the IFoA’s Quality Assurance Scheme Sub-Committee.

He said:

“I am delighted to join IPSO’s Appointment Panel, and I look forward to working with colleagues to make the right appointments to help IPSO deliver effective press regulation.”

Catherine Steele is Vodafone’s Group Director of Corporate Communications. She brings more than 25 years of global and country experience building and leading teams in communications, public policy, politics and government relations. Prior to joining Vodafone, Catherine held senior communications global and country roles in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry with Roche, Novartis, and Biogen.

She said:

“I am pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to the important role of IPSO in supporting an independently regulated press."

Chairman of IPSO, Lord Faulks QC, said:

“I welcome both Catherine and Victor to the Appointments Panel. They, along with the rest of the Panel, will play an important role in ensuring IPSO’s independence and supporting robust and effective press regulation”.