Jean Coussins
Jean Coussins, former chief executive of The Portman Group was appointed to the Alcohol Education and Research Council in a blaze of controversy, many alcohol researchers and public health campaigners objected at the decision to appoint her. They argue that The Portman Group is a lobby group for the alcohol industry and the research undertaken by the Alcohol Education and Research Council could be undermined by the inclusion of an industry insider onto the board [1]
Jean Coussins is also a member of the "independent" Better Regulation Commission, which was untill 2006 known as The Better Regulation Task Force. It has a role to ensure that regulation and its enforcement are proportionate, accountable, consistent, transparent and targeted. The body advises the Government on better regulation and the reduction of unnecessary regulatory burdens. Commission's expertise lies in the regulation affecting business, the voluntary and community sector, and in European matters [2]
Jean Coussins was one of six new non-party political peers, selected by the independent House of Lords Appointments Commission, approved by Tony Blair. Coussins was also a prominent lobbiest for industry in supporting 24 hour drinking. Coussins insists that she did not lobby for the drinks industry and has said that The Portman Group exists solely to promote responsible drinking and is not a lobby group [3] [4]
Coussins was among four individuals hounered by the George Washington Spirits Society. Coussins was one of four new members inducted by the society in 2007, the others included: U.S. Representative James Clyburn (D-S.C., Majority Whip); Thomas Donohue, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; and Robert Epstein, President of Horizon Beverage Group and Chairman of Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America. The Distilled Spirit Council of the U.S. said of Coussins in their press release
- Baroness Jean Coussins, former Chief Executive of the Portman Group, has distinguished herself as an outstanding leader of the beverage alcohol industry throughout the United Kingdom and the world commu-nity. During her tenure as CEO of the Portman Group, Lady Coussins effectively advocated for a reduction in the misuse of beverage alcohol by the consumer and for responsible marketing and advertising by industry. [5]
Former Posts
- Chief Executive The Portman Group
- Director of social policy for the Commission for Racial Equality
- Board member Advisory Council of the British Board of Film Classification
- Associate Fellow & Member of the governing body of Newnham College
Current Posts
- Board Member Alcohol Education and Research Council
- Member of the Better Regulation Commission
- Consultant on Corporate Strategies for Social Responsibility.
- Council Member Advertising Standards Agency
References
- ↑ Susan Mayor, British Medical Journal 10th July 2004“Researcher objects to drinks industry representative sitting on alcohol research body” Accessed March 2007
- ↑ Cabinet Office 06/02007Press Release Accessed April 2007
- ↑ Advertising Standards Agency Our Members Accessed April 2007
- ↑ Johnathan Oliver The Mail on Sunday (London, England)February 18, 2007 Accessed Via Lexis Nexis April 2007
- ↑ Distilled Spirit Council of the U.S. News Release October 4, 2007, George Washington Spirits Society Honors Four Inductees At Mount Vernon Celebration, accessed via Nexis UK May 18th 2008
