New press regulator IPSO – the Independent Press Standards Organisation – has appointed Matt Tee, the chief operating officer for the NHS Confederation, as its first chief executive.
IPSO chair Sir Alan Moses said: "Matt has a deep understanding of the complex and sensitive relationship between the press, the public and Government.
"As a highly experienced CEO and accomplished communicator, he brings a great deal of relevant experience which will stand him in good stead as we work together to establish IPSO as the independent and credible regulator of the press."
Tee said: "I am excited to be appointed to be Chief Executive of IPSO.
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"A free press is a cornerstone of our democracy. To be effective and credible, IPSO must be independent and free from the control of the press or the state.
"It will understand the press but be tough when there is wrongdoing."
Tee is currently chief operating officer of the NHS Confederation, the representative trade body for all the organisations that make up the NHS.
Before that, he was Permanent Secretary Government Communication, overseeing communications for the UK Government and directing the Central Office of Information (CoI).
He has also been chief executive of NHS Direct, director general communications at the Department of Health, and head of news at the Department of Trade and Industry.
He was also a board director at the NHS inspectorate, the Commission for Health Improvement, Director of Communication at Guy's and St Thomas' hospitals, and Director of Business Development at health information specialists Dr Foster.
IPSO is due to start work in the autumn, replacing the Press Complaints Commission.
It says that more than 90 per cent of the UK's national press and the majority of regional press and major magazine publishers have already elected to be subject to its regulation.
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