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Former BBC and ITV chairman takes on PCC role

Former BBC and ITV chairman Lord Grade has been appointed as one of three new public members of the Press Complaints Commission.

Lord Grade of Yarmouth, who was created a life peer earlier this year, is a former BBC chairman, executive chairman of ITV plc and chief executive of Channel 4.

Also appointed to the PCC were Judge Jeremy Roberts QC, a permanent judge at the Central Criminal Court who is due to retire this month and Michael Smyth CBE, who recently retired as a senior partner at law firm Clifford Chance.

They have been chosen from nearly 3,000 people who applied to join as public members of the PCC and each will serve for a three-year period.

PCC chairman Baroness Buscombe said: “The Commission has been very pleased at the level of interest shown in its role and its work and the very high quality of the applications received.

“These are important and significant appointments for the PCC.

“We are delighted to be able to appoint these three substantial figures from such a strong field and I am confident that all three will do much to contribute to the work of the PCC and will help ensure that the reputation and credibility of the PCC remains strong.”