Readers' and Journalists' Advisory Panels

About the Readers’ Advisory Panel

The Readers’ Advisory Panel is made up of ten people who are enthusiastic readers of a variety of newspapers and magazines and who do not work in the journalism industry. The panel meets three times a year and provides a perspective on press regulation from the point of view of the general public.

The panel have read early drafts of some of the information leaflets IPSO has produced for members of the public, and their feedback has been valuable in shaping this information. Meetings of the Readers’ Advisory Panel have also featured discussions on a range of topics including trust in news reporting and the IPSO mark.

The current Chair is David Hutton, a member of the Complaints Committee, who is invited to address IPSO’s Board at least once a year with an update on the panel’s work.

Current panel members:

David Simmonds is a former police officer and part-time lecturer in Law and Criminal Justice at Staffordshire University.
Eleanor Salter has recently completed an undergraduate degree in Theology and Religion and is currently studying for a Graduate Diploma in Economics at Birkbeck College, University of London.
Giles Ramsay is an independent theatre producer, director and lecturer who specialises in creating new work with artists in developing countries. He is the Founding Director of the charity Developing Artists, and Course Leader in Theatre at the V&A in London.
Jameen Kaur is a human rights advocate, who has worked with organisations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Law Network - public interest litigator. She holds a Masters in International Human Rights Law.
Kate Jackson works part-time as a Contract Manager for the Office of National Statistics, after a long police career. She is also a Justice of the Peace.
Linda Higginson is a former manager at Citizens Advice Bureau and Lay Committee Member in the Northern Ireland Social Care Council; currently a school governor and Samaritan.
Michael Cini lives in Greater Bristol and is an Executive Officer within the Improvement and Insight Division at the Department of Education.
Portia Augustus-Little is a Transitions Coordinator at a high school in Hillingdon with 12 year's experience in training and education, and 8 year's experience in the fashion business.
Ryan Balgobin is a qualified actuary who specialises in reserving for London Market insurers and reinsurers.

About the Journalists' Advisory Panel

The Journalists’ Advisory Panel is made up of ten people who are current journalists, from a range of publications including national newspapers, regional newspapers and magazines. They meet four times a year to discuss a variety of issues facing the industry, share experiences and to inform the guidance IPSO produces for journalists and editors.

The panel has provided useful feedback and suggestions on early drafts of IPSO’s guidance on a range of subjects and they discuss a variety of topics about journalism including the Editors’ Code, and the factors which influence editorial standards.

The current Chair is Martin Trepte, a member of the Board, who is invited to address IPSO’s Board at least once a year with an update on the panel’s work.

Current panel members:

Aasma Day is Northern Reporter at the i newspaper. She was formerly the North of England correspondent at HuffPost UK.
Angela Wormald is Deputy Editor at The Sunday Mirror and Sunday People.
Anna Whittaker is a Local Democracy Reporter with Notts TV, holding local authorities to account in Nottinghamshire. She has worked as a local reporter since 2018.
Caroline Iggulden is Associate Editor at The Sun newspaper. She is responsible for editorial campaigns and partnerships across print and digital.
James Harrison is a freelance journalist. He was previously assistant editor at the Sunderland Echo and a Local Democracy Reporter covering public affairs in North East England.
John Ferguson is Political Editor at the Sunday Mail in Scotland.
Giles Hattersley is the European Features Director for Vogue.
Megan Harwood-Baynes is a journalist at SkyNews. She was previously a social media reporter at PA and local democracy reporter on the Isle of Wight.
Rebecca Camber is the Crime and Security Editor at the Daily Mail.
Sophie Hearsey is the Group Head of Content at Bauer Media.