New MRS Disciplinary Authority reinforces professional standards

Date: 18 September 2001

The Market Research Society (MRS) has announced the creation of a new Disciplinary Authority for the market research profession. This is the latest in a series of measures introduced by the Society designed to continue to ensure the highest standards of professional conduct are maintained by market research practitioners.

The newly-established authority comprises five independent members and will provide the final point of appeal in the enforcement of The MRS Code of Conduct and associated guidelines. All of the members have been selected, after a rigorous selection process, for their previous experience in conducting investigations into professional standards, together with their impartial and independent view of the market research profession.

The Disciplinary Authority will be chaired by Peter Lally, a former Chief Superintendent in the Metropolitan Police. He brings considerable experience in handling disciplinary actions from his 25-year career as a police officer and from his work as Chairman of an independent complaints review panel for the NHS and a member of an employment tribunal. Speaking about his new role, Mr Lally commented, "I am very pleased to take up this position. The MRS has demonstrated its commitment to standards by the creation of this body. I believe that the Authority will fulfil a vital function in providing an independent and impartial ruling on what are frequently sensitive issues often affecting the general public. This will be a challenging role and I am looking forward to working with my colleagues to make the Disciplinary Authority a well-respected enforcement arm for The MRS Code of Conduct."

All members of The Market Research Society are required to abide by The MRS Code of Conduct and associated guidelines which define the professional standards for market researchers. Currently, disciplinary matters are heard by the Professional Standards Committee (PSC), which consists of members of The MRS, but in cases where members under investigation dispute the original findings of PSC, the case will then be referred to the independent Authority for review.

The new Disciplinary Authority, introduced to meet all the safeguards of the Human Rights Act 1998, will provide an extra tier to The MRS' disciplinary procedure. Within its powers the Authority has the right to warn, seek undertakings, reprimand, demote, suspend, or, in the worst cases, terminate membership.

Sally Ford-Hutchinson, Chair, The Market Research Society, commented, "The MRS has always campaigned to establish and maintain rigorous standards of professional conduct. This new revised procedure provides The MRS with a robust and fair mechanism to enforce its Code of Conduct in the interests of all participants in the market research process.

"However, I should like to stress that complaints against members are very rare. Out of the millions of market research interviews that were conducted last year, only 17 disciplinary cases were investigated. The creation of the Disciplinary Authority will serve as a caution to researchers tempted to contravene the Code of Conduct but it is the hope of The MRS that the Authority will rarely be called into service," Ford-Hutchinson concluded.

The other members of the Disciplinary Authority are:

Steve Chicken, currently Engineering & Quality Director at Ransomes Jacobsen Ltd. Whilst in the Royal Air Force, he led aircraft crash investigations as a Technical Member of Boards of Inquiry and conducted military court martials.

Clive Evans, a qualified solicitor and former Chief Executive of the Incorporated Society of Valuers and Auctioneers (ISVA), where his responsibilities included the investigation of complaints and acting as the Legal Adviser for the ISVA during its disciplinary hearings.

Diana King OBE, a qualified solicitor and a past Chief Executive of the English Ski Council where her role included the investigation and resolution of complaints. She is currently a business analyst with international law firm Eversheds.

Paul Mulvaney, who worked in general management. He is currently a Justice of the Peace, a General Commissioner of Income Tax Appeals and Vice Chairman Liverpool City Citizens Advice Bureau.

Notes for Editors

The Market Research Society is the world's largest international membership organisation for professional researchers and others involved or interested in market, social or opinion research. The MRS is the UK's Code-holding body for the market research profession.

Where the Disciplinary Authority is called upon to hear a case, the Chair will appoint a Tribunal, consisting of one Fellow of the Society and two independent members (one of which could be the Chair of the Disciplinary Authority).

All members of the Disciplinary Authority have been selected for their wide experience in such situations. In addition, The MRS provides a two-day training course, which is both theoretical and practical. The course aims to provide members with an overview of the sector, as well as a thorough understanding of The MRS Code of Conduct and disciplinary procedures.

Initial complaints to The MRS are received by The Standards Department, which refers them to the Professional Standards Committee (PSC). An 'Investigations Committee' is then appointed, consisting of three members of PSC. If they decide there is a prima facie case, the member under investigation has 21 days to provide a written response, after which time the Investigations Committee undertakes further inquiry. If disciplinary action is decided upon, the case will be presented to PSC. When decisions are challenged by members, the case is referred to the Disciplinary Authority.

A detailed summary of procedure is available on The MRS website at www.mrs.org.uk

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