Independent Complaints Panel appoints two new recruits

Published: 24 February, 2012

The panel which investigates complaints over irresponsible drinks marketing has recruited a health promotions expert and journalist.

After a six-year term Dr Martyn Percy is stepping down from the Independent Complaints Panel, which deals with potential breaches of the Portman Group's code of practice.

Both Doreen McIntyre and Elisabeth Ribbans will be joining the panel for a fixed term of three years.

Doreen McIntyre has over 20 years of experience in health promotion at both UK and international level, while Elisabeth Ribbans has spent the same amount of time as a journalist and is currently managing editor of the Guardian.

Chairman Richard Tilt, highlighted the "key role" panel members play in upholding the "strict standards" that are set for alcohol marketing in the UK.

The posts attracted 150 applicants, and Tilt said: "This has been a very competitive process and Doreen and Elisabeth will bring a great depth of experience to our role as the independent arbiter for responsible alcohol marketing."

The code was introduced in 1996 and has since found over 80 products in breach of the Portman Group's alcohol responsibility rules, with Magnum Tonic wine and Healey's Texan-style Hard Cyder being the most recent offenders.

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