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Data & Marketing Commission announces new Independent Commissioner Kate Staples has been named as the new Independent Commissioner of the Data & Marketing Commission (DMC) – the industry body that oversees and enforces the  DMA Code .  Led by the Chief Commissioner, Amerdeep Somal, the DMC investigates and adjudicates on reported breaches of the DMA Code by members of the Data & Marketing Association (DMA).  It is also now in the process of becoming a Monitoring Body for the Information Commissioners’ Office following approval of an industry GDPR Code. The DMC also has a further extended remit in support of the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) with complaints by consumers in relation to data and in particular Legitimate Interest and related matters.   The team of Commissioners work to ensure responsible marketing and ethical marketing practices are maintained. Amerdeep Somal said:   “I am delighted to welcome Kate to the DMC and the wealth of experience she will bring to the Commission will be of huge importance and benefit at this pivotal stage in our evolution, as we become an independent monitoring body.” DMC’s new Independent Commissioner   Kate Staples, an experienced NED and former General Counsel and Secretary to the Civil Aviation Authority, who is due to start her tenure on 1 st March 2023 said: “I am very pleased to be joining Amerdeep and the team at the DMC. It’s an exciting time for the DMC and DMA and I look forward to making a valuable contribution.” For further information contact: Suzi Higman, DMC – suzi.higman@dmcommission.com

Emma Martins has been named as the new Chief Commissioner of the Data & Marketing Commission (DMC) – the independent body that oversees and enforces the Data & Marketing ( DMA) Code . Led by the Chief Commissioner, the DMC investigates and adjudicates on reported breaches of the DMA Code by DMA members. The team of commissioners work to ensure responsible and ethical marketing practices are maintained. Commenting on her appointment, Emma Martins, the new Chief Commissioner of the DMC said: “Over the past 25 years, I have been a strong advocate of ethical data handling, transparency and accountability, so I am delighted to represent an organisation which embodies these values.  I am honoured to lead the DMC into the next stage of its evolution where we continue to work towards becoming an ICO accredited monitoring body, tasked with upholding a GDPR Code of Conduct, which, when approved, will offer more direction to the industry on best practice and resources to support consumer complaints. Ultimately, we are all striving to improve trust in the industry and build a better experience for the customer.” Emma Martins is an experienced data protection and governance professional, having worked in the regulatory environment for over 25 years. She has been the Data Protection Commissioner at the Office of Data Protection Authority, Bailiwick of Guernsey since 2018. Prior to that, she was Information Commissioner for the Channel Islands between 2012–2018. She was the Data Protection Commissioner of Jersey between 2005–2012. This appointment comes as Amerdeep Somal steps down as Chief Commissioner after four years with the DMC. The DMC Board put on record their appreciation of  Amerdeep Somal’s achievements, saying “ We are incredibly grateful for Amerdeep’s dedication, hard work, and guidance throughout a challenging period for our industry and the UK. It is testament to her expertise and leadership qualities that the DMC has gone from strength to strength. The Board is delighted  to welcome Emma Martins as the new Chief Commissioner. Her vast knowledge and experience as a data protection commissioner will be invaluable to the DMC as its remit and responsibilities continue to grow.”

Steve Wood has been named as the new Independent Appeals Commissioner of the Data & Marketing Commission (DMC) – the industry body that oversees and enforces the  DMA Code .  When the DMC concludes that a member is in breach of the DMA Code, a member can appeal against the ruling, or any sanctions imposed.  The Independent Appeals Commissioner will be expected to consider an appeal when lodged by a member company of the DMA or in future by a signatory organisation to the GDPR Code or by a complainant which has had complaints upheld by the DMC. Steve, whose tenure will commence on 1 st January 2023, is an Independent consultant, researcher & writer who has his own company, PrivacyX Consulting and was former Deputy Commissioner at the Information Commissioner’s Office.  He will be replacing the DMC’s long-standing Appeals Commissioner, John Bridgeman CBE TD DL who is retiring this year. Led by the Chief Commissioner, Ms Amerdeep Somal, the DMC investigates and adjudicates on reported breaches of the DMA Code by members of the Data & Marketing Association (DMA).  It is also now in the process of becoming a Monitoring Body for the Information Commissioner’s Office following approval of an industry GDPR Code. The DMC also has a further extended remit in support of the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) with complaints by consumers in relation to data and in particular Legitimate Interest and related matters.   Amerdeep Somal stated,  “I am delighted to welcome Steve Wood as the new Independent Appeals Commissioner. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be invaluable in his crucial role as the independent Appeal function against decisions made by the DMC. I also sincerely thank John Bridgeman CBE TD DL for his many years of service as the first Independent Appeals Commissioner and I am grateful for his wonderful work legacy.” For further information contact: Suzi Higman, DMC – suzi.higman@dmcommission.com

Richard Thompson has been named as the new Independent Complaints Assessor of the Data & Marketing Commission (DMC) – the industry body that oversees and enforces the  DMA Code .  The Independent Complaints Assessor can consider complaints about the standard of service provided by the DMC.  This covers the practical handling of a case – but not disagreements about its outcome.  There is a separate service for appealing case rulings and sanctions. Richard is an Executive Director responsible for leading strategic approach and operational delivery of high-volume casework, quality assurance and customer excellence.  He is an accredited commercial mediator with 25 years’ experience in regulation, complaint handling and dispute resolution.  His tenure will commence on 1 st January 2023. Led by the Chief Commissioner, Amerdeep Somal, the DMC investigates and adjudicates on reported breaches of the DMA Code by members of the Data & Marketing Association (DMA).  It is also now in the process of becoming a Monitoring Body for the Information Commissioner’s Office following approval of an industry GDPR Code. The DMC also has a further extended remit in support of the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) with complaints by consumers in relation to data and in particular Legitimate Interest and related matters.   Amerdeep Somal stated,  “I am delighted to welcome Richard Thompson as the first Independent Complaints Assessor to the DMC. He will bring a wealth of experience, knowledge and challenge to the DMC.” For further information contact: Suzi Higman, DMC – suzi.higman@dmcommission.com

On 16 September 2020, we said goodbye to Matti Alderson, former Chair of the  Direct Marketing Authority  (before she launched the  Direct Marketing Commission ) and former Director General of the  Advertising Standards Authority  (ASA), but we have not lost her legacy, described as  “an unrelenting focus on making sure that all UK ads are legal, decent, honest, and truthful.” A passionate advocate of self-regulation, Matti was a committed leader of the UK ad watchdog, which has credited her as a “driving force” in raising its profile. In 1974, Matti joined the  ASA  as a case officer and became Director General in 1990, spending ten years in the role, in which she particularly focussed on regulating tobacco advertising. During her tenure, Matti also helped co-found the  European Advertising Standards Alliance  (EASA), the organisation that coordinates advertising work of self-regulatory bodies across Europe. She became Vice Chair in 1997, the same year Matti joined other industry figures at the European Parliament to give a powerful presentation on the portrayal of women in advertising. When Matti left the  ASA  in 2000, its annual report praised her contributions. She went on to become Managing Director of  FireHorses , which providedadvice on regulatory policy and strategy to clients in the public and private sectors, and lead the  Direct Marketing Authority  (now the  Direct Marketing Commission ). She expanded the  DMC ’s role and influence, developed the responsibilities of its directorate, and strengthened relationships with the industry and consumers. Charles Ping, former DMA Chairman and currently Industry Commissioner on the  DMC , said: “I was lucky enough to work with Matti as DMA Chair when she started her tenure at the  DMC . Matti arrived at the  Direct Marketing Commission  with a fully rounded understanding of how a regulator works, and what makes the difference between a regulatory environment that supports good business and one that doesn’t. Her view was robust, questioning and always centred in a fair view of how regulation should work. From her time at the  ASA,  she instinctively understood that clarity and consistency were key, as well as the ability to clearly articulate the logic behind decisions. It was a challenge within a regulator who had a remit to regulate the code of a body, not an all-encompassing industry wide endeavour, and this made for an interesting journey over the years. Matti’s commitment to the  DMC  was clear and she will be remembered by me, and those with whom she worked, as a professional committed to improving the standards of industry through better regulation.” The  obituary from  The Times  stated that Martha (Matti) Hallyburton Connolly was born on 20 December 1951 in Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire, the daughter of Edward, a captain in the Merchant Navy, and Helen, a nurse. She lived in London with her husband Alan Alderson, IT Director for  the Bauer Media Group . “The couple did not have children, but welcomed young people into their home every year from the former Soviet regions affected by the Chernobyl disaster. They never formally adopted but supported one Belarusian boy from the age of 11 through school and university. He later changed his name to Alex Alderson and called the couple mum and dad.” Matti died peacefully of undisclosed causes at the age of 68. The DMA and DMC expresses their deepest condolences to Matti’s family, and the many colleagues and friends she left behind within the ad industry and beyond.

Amerdeep Somal confirmed as new Chief Commissioner of the Data & Marketing Commission 07 May 2020 – Amerdeep Somal has been named as the new Chief Commissioner of the Data & Marketing Commission (DMC) – the industry body that oversees and enforces the DMA Code . Led by the Chief Commissioner, the DMC investigates and adjudicates on reported breaches of the DMA Code by members of the Data & Marketing Association (DMA). The team of commissioners work to ensure responsible marketing and ethical marketing practices are maintained. “I am honoured to be appointed as the new Chief Commissioner. Over the past 25 years, I have remained committed to serving organisations where independence, public interest and trust are placed front and centre of all practices,” said Amerdeep Somal, Chief Commissioner of the DMC . “Responsible marketing, transparency and ethics are key drivers for building consumer trust in the data and marketing industry – the DMC will continue to promote and enforce these values across the DMA’s membership. I am privileged to lead the DMC into the next stage of its evolution.” Somal brings 25 years’ senior executive and non-executive experience to the position, previously operating within a series of high-profile stakeholder roles across a variety of sectors. Previous roles include founding Commissioner and Board Member at the Independent Police Complaints Commission. She is presently Independent Assessor of the Financial Ombudsman Service, She will also continue to hold her positions as a Judge at the Ministry of Justice UK, Council Member of the General Medical Council and Board Trustee at Refuge. Somal’s appointment comes as George Kidd comes to the end of his term, after 12 years with the DMC – first as an independent member of the DMC Board and then selected as Chief Commissioner in 2010. “I’d like to personally thank George for his leadership, expertise and commitment to the DMC throughout his long tenure. He has been a truly remarkable ambassador to our industry,” added Stephen Maher, Chair of the Data & Marketing Association Board . “I am also delighted to welcome Amerdeep as the new Chief Commissioner. Her wealth of experience and invaluable knowledge of regulatory and judiciary practices will help drive the DMC forward into a new era.”