Phillips to Head Financial Services Panel

In the UK, Real Research MD Adam Phillips has been promoted to the post of Chairman of the Financial Services Consumer Panel, which acts as an independent voice for consumers of financial services.

The Panel was set up and is funded by the FSA (Financial Services Authority) to help regulate the financial services industry in the UK in the interests of consumers. Members advise and monitor the FSA on all its policies and activities from an independent consumer point of view, and also review and comment on wider developments in financial services.

Phillips has been Vice Chairman of the panel since 2005 and acting Chairman since December 2008, following the resignation of Lord Lipsey.

In addition to running his own market research consultancy, Phillips chairs ESOMAR's Professional Standards Committee. He was previously MD of ATR UK (Advanced Television Research), Deputy MD of BMRB, MD of Mass Observation, and CEO of Winona Research in the USA. During his career, he has also worked at Research International and Unilever. He is a former Chairman of the MRS and previously served on the Press Complaints Commission.

FSA chairman Adair Turner comments: 'The Consumer Panel has a valuable role to play in ensuring that the FSA takes the consumer interest into account. We are very pleased that Adam has agreed to bring his experience to this important role.'

The Panel is independent of the FSA and has its own web site at www.fs-cp.org.uk .

Real Research is online at www.realresearch.co.uk .