Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) Chairman, Lord Smith has announced the appointment of three new independent, lay Council members, Shireen Peermohamed, Kate Bee and Sam Younger CBE. The ASA Council is the body responsible for judging complaints under the UK Advertising Codes.

Shireen is an Intellectual Property Lawyer, Kate is a BBC broadcast journalist and Sam is currently Chief Executive of the Charity Commission; they were appointed for their experience and wide ranging backgrounds.

The ASA Council is formed of two-thirds independent and one-third industry members. Collectively, the members offer a wide range of skills and experiences, representing the perspectives of a wide cross section of society, including young people, families and charities. The new members will judge both broadcast and non-broadcast advertisements.

Of the appointments, Lord Smith said: “I am delighted to welcome Shireen, Kate and Sam to the ASA Council. They bring a breadth of experience which will help us ensure our decisions are in line with public expectations and are balanced, reasoned and consistent. I very much look forward to working with all three of them.”

They will take up their positions on Friday 25 April, and replace Sir Andrew Motion, David Harker CBE, and Louisa Bolch who have served their maximum appointed term of six years.


About our new Council members

Shireen Peermohamed - Shireen is a solicitor with over 20 years’ experience. She specialises in intellectual property law and is a partner in the firm of Harbottle & Lewis LLP. Shireen is a CEDR trained mediator and has served on the International Trade Mark Association’s Panel of Neutrals as well as its Enforcement Committee. She has also been appointed by the Court to act as an independent supervising solicitor on a number of occasions.

Kate Bee - Kate is a multi-platform journalist. She’s currently a broadcast journalist with BBC Breakfast, and has previously worked as a broadcast journalist at BBC Oxford and BBC Radio Lincolnshire.

Sam Younger, CBE - Sam is currently Chief Executive of the Charity Commission. He was formerly Chair of the Electoral Commission and Interim CEO of Shelter. He’s also been Managing Director at BBC World Service and Director General for the British Red Cross. He’s previously been an Independent Member of the Standards Committee for the Greater London Authority and Chair of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.

 


More on


  • Keep up to date

    Sign up to our rulings, newsletters and emargoed access for Press. Subscribe now.