In some circumstances, ASA rulings can be challenged by an advertiser or complainant when there is evidence that we have not got the decision right or there was a flaw in our processes. Find out more about the Independent Review process.
 
  • Sir Hayden Phillips GCB DL

    Sir Hayden Phillips GCB DL

    Independent Reviewer

    Sir Hayden Phillips has been the Independent Reviewer of ASA Council Rulings since 1 January 2010.

    His principal career, from 1967, was in public service: in the Home Office, the Cabinet Office, the Treasury and the European Commission. From 1992 until 2004, he was the Permanent Secretary of two departments; first as the founding Permanent Secretary of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (until 1998) and then of what has now become the Ministry of Justice. He is the Independent Reviewer of the Rulings of the ASA Council; Chairman of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art; a Lay Canon of Salisbury Cathedral, where he is Chairman of the Fabric Advisory Committee; and Chairman of the Wellington Collection at Apsley House. He is a Director of St Just Farms Ltd and of the Energy Saving Trust. He chairs the Appointments Panel of the Independent Press Standards Organisation. He has been Chairman of the National Theatre, of Marlborough College, an adviser to HRH The Prince of Wales and a non-executive director of various companies in the City and elsewhere. He was a Deputy Lieutenant of Wiltshire until February 2018.

 

Independent Reviewer’s report 

Each year, the Independent Reviewer writes a report highlighting notable cases from the past year. You can read his latest report below: 

2023 Independent Reviewer's report


You can see the Independent Reviewer’s reports prior to 2023 in our archive of annual reports. You can also read about the outcomes of his recent reviews.