Press regulator appoints new Board and Complaints Committee members

The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) has announced new appointments to its Board and Complaints Committee.

They will take up their posts from 1 January 2019.

Martin Trepte, former editorial director of Baylis Media, joins the Board as an editorial member and Matthew Lohn, senior partner at Fieldfisher solicitors joins as a lay member.

Martin Trepte has been a local newspaper journalist for almost 30 years and is also involved with several grassroots charities and community organisations. He says:

“Throughout my career I have been committed to the highest editorial standards and passionate about the vital role of a free and independent press in maintaining our democracy. I am delighted to be joining IPSO at a time when a free press was never more important.”

Matthew Lohn combines his role as senior partner at Fieldfisher with his practice as a lawyer specialising in public and regulatory law. He says:

“Having previously been a member of IPSO's Complaints Committee, I am delighted to be returning to be part of its Board and engage strategically with the important work it undertakes regulating the press.”

Mark Payton, formerly editorial director at Haymarket Magazines, joins IPSO’s Complaints Committee as an editorial member and Andy Brennan, a former senior police officer, and David Hutton, a former head teacher, join as lay members.

Mark Payton has over 30 years’ consumer publishing experience as an editor and journalist and is now an editorial consultant, lecturer and writer.

He says:

“I am a passionate believer in a free press, so I am delighted to be joining IPSO's Complaints Committee. I hope that my 30 years of editorial experience can to help IPSO continue its mission as an intelligent, clear, effective regulator.”

Andy Brennan QPM was a deputy director in the National Crime Agency and prior to this, a senior police officer in the West Yorkshire Police. He was awarded the Queens Police Medal for services to policing and the public in 2012.

He says:

“I am delighted to be joining the IPSO Complaints Committee and recognise that it is essential that the public and those regulated have confidence in IPSO to deliver independent, fair and objective decisions to complaints.”

David Hutton has spent 22 years as a senior leader, deputy head and head teacher at schools in East Anglia and is a qualified Ofsted inspector.

He says:

“I am delighted to be taking up a role on IPSO's Complaints Committee. As a person with a strong sense of fairness I relish the opportunity to help bring about a remedy for those wronged, whilst upholding the legitimate right of the press to operate freely in the public interest.”

Chairman of IPSO, Sir Alan Moses said:

“I’m delighted to welcome such distinguished new members to both IPSO’s Board and Complaints Committee. Their wealth of experience will further strengthen the organisation and demonstrates the high standing and reputation of IPSO after four years of operation.”