IPA Director of Legal and Public Affairs, Richard Lindsay, to retire

Since his arrival in 2010, Richard has been an instrumental advisor, ambassador and spokesperson for the IPA, its agency members and the wider agency community on all areas of legal and public affairs.

In his legal role, Richard has tackled matters across the spectrum of advertising, including clearance issues,  media buying, data and e-privacy, Brexit, Covid and AI., He has also run the IPA Lawyers' Group - a forum for in-house lawyers working within IPA member agencies to discuss pressing legal and regulatory issues – and was editor of, and a contributing author to, Ad Law, the IPA’s guide to advertising law and regulation. He was also responsible for the legal work on the IPA’s award of Royal Charter status in 2015.

In his public affairs role, Richard has represented the IPA on the Committees of Advertising Practice and on the Clearcast Copy Committee. He has also responded to numerous public consultations affecting the ad industry on behalf of IPA members on matters as diverse as improving payment practices, regulatory reform, online advertising, public procurement and less healthy foods. He has also regularly liaised with fellow trade associations, Government departments, and with press, on a range of public affairs matters affecting advertising, as well as serving on the Government’s Online Advertising Taskforce.

Before joining the IPA, Richard trained and qualified as a solicitor at the city law firm, Lovell White Durrant (now Hogan Lovells) in the 1990s, focusing on IT/IP and media. After leaving private practice, Richard worked for media organisations including Granada Television as Head of Legal & Business Affairs for its Enterprises division and The Telegraph Media Group as Group Legal Director.

Says Richard Lindsay, outgoing Director of Legal and Public Affairs, IPA:

“I can think of no better industry to work in as a lawyer, than advertising, and no better organisation to work for than the IPA. Over the past 16 years, I have met so many exceptionally talented people through my role at the IPA. The great work that agencies produce, across all areas of advertising, never ceases to amaze me. It certainly produces legal challenges, but that’s what has made my job so enjoyable and so rewarding."

Says Paul Bainsfair, Director General, IPA:

“Richard has done a brilliant job in building the IPA’s legal capabilities. In an ever-changing, complex world, many of our members rely on the IPA’s Legal advice to navigate all sorts of choppy waters. The IPA Legal department now occupies a sui generis position among industry associations; this has been achieved through Richard’s leadership and vision. Obviously, we will miss him, but we wish him the best for a long and happy retirement.”

The IPA will announce plans for Richard’s succession in due course. In the interim, Richard’s role will be assigned to the IPA Legal and Public Affairs team, including Juliet Bawtree, (Director, Employment Law); Helen Bowyer (Director, Advertising Law); Albert Yung (Associate Director, Advertising Law) and Laura Hartley (Legal Counsel).