Helen Bowyer named as new IPA Director of Legal

Helen brings more than 25 years of experience to the role, including a decade at Lewis Silkin and five years at Addleshaw Goddard. She joined the IPA in 2017 and has provided IPA membership with expert legal advice, particularly around intellectual property issues; ad clearance/regulatory advice on creative concepts, executions and scripts; promotions; production; contracts; disputes; and ASA investigations.

In addition to her distinguished career in advertising and media law, Helen is a qualified yoga instructor, professional coach and mentor.

As Director of Legal, Helen will run the IPA’s team of lawyers dedicated to advising the IPA’s ad agency members on a broad range of advertising-related legal issues. Helen sits on the Committees of Advertising Practice (CAP and BCAP), which write the Advertising Codes and she is a member of Clearcast’s Copy Committee. She will also act as a key spokesperson on industry issues and work closely with IPA Director of Public Affairs, Richard Casofsky to respond to public consultations on behalf of the advertising industry.

Commenting on her appointment, Helen Bowyer said:

“I am delighted to be taking on this role. My focus will be on building on the excellent standard of work achieved by Richard and the legal team during his long tenure. There is rarely a dull moment in advertising law, and the pace of legal, regulatory and technological change shows no sign of slowing. It’s an increasingly complex landscape. I look forward to leading the IPA legal team as we continue to provide practical, commercially focused support to our member agencies.”

Welcoming the appointment, IPA Director General Paul Bainsfair said:

“Helen’s appointment comes at a critical time for agencies with evolving AI and HFSS laws as well as an incoming social media ban for under-16s. She has been an outstanding member of the IPA Legal team for the past nine years, and I am delighted that she has agreed to be our new Director of Legal as we navigate the challenges ahead for our members."