A readers’ panel has been set up by the press watchdog to advise on its work.

The Independent Press Standards Organisation has announced the launch of the readers’ advisory panel, which will provide comment to IPSO on any issues on which it is consulting or developing guidance, including the regular review of the Editors’ Code of Practice.

The panel provide their view to any external review or audit of IPSO; and act as a focal point for the public or representative groups to feed back their experiences of IPSO.

The six panellists are Connie Henry, a former senior private sector manager, Dr Kate Sang, an academic, Michael Curran, who works in PR, Nabila Zulfiqar, a solicitor with experience of regulation and governance, Samantha McFarlane, marketing agency owner and charity trustee, and Tom Rowland, a campaigner and former journalist.

Charlotte Urwin, IPSO’s Head of Standards, said: “I am delighted to welcome our panellists. Their input as readers will help inform IPSO’s important work around press standards and they will provide us with invaluable advice and expertise.”

None of the panellists are employed by a publisher that is or could be regulated by IPSO.

IPSO has also set up a journalists’ advisory panel to offer advice from the perspective of journalists, which will meet for the first time early in the New Year.

Its will come from the national and regional press, as well the magazine sector, and will be confirmed in January 2017.