Paddy Coulter is a specialist in media and development with over 30 years professional experience of international communications. Hailing originally from Northern Ireland, he is currently based in Oxford as a Director of Oxford Global Media, a UK consultancy working on a range of communications strategy assignments for international organisations.

His previous experience includes responsibility for the Reuters international journalism programme of the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at Oxford University where he was Director of Studies between 2001 and 2007.  From 1990-2001 Paddy was Director (and from 1987-1990 Deputy Director) of the International Broadcasting Trust, producing over a hundred television programmes on global development and human rights for BBC TV, Channel 4 Television and other leading international broadcasters.   He was previously and Head of Communications at Oxfam (1982/1987).

Paddy is a Fellow of Green Templeton College, University of Oxford. He has maintained a strong interest in media and civil society, having had lengthy involvements as a Trustee with UNICEF UK, Comic Relief and the Media Trust as well as Oxfam. He won the Gold Award from the United Nations Correspondents Association in New York for the IBT television documentary series ‘Under the Blue Flag’ and in 2000 Paddy was awarded OBE by Her Majesty’s Government in London for “services to development awareness”.  He is also a Trustee of the Geddes Trust which seeks to promote Oxford student journalism and is a Visiting Fellow of the Bournemouth Media School, University of Bournemouth.

In addition to being Chair of the International Board of ARTICLE 19 (since 2014), Paddy sits on the Finance and General Purposes Committee, the Governance Committee and is also a director of the regional affiliate ARTICLE 19 East Africa.

Robert P. “Bob” Latham has had a distinguished career spanning three decades, as a trial lawyer with recognized expertise in the areas of media law and intellectual property litigation. He is currently a Partner and Chair of Jackson Walker L.L.P.’s media law practice group, and his trial practice also involves complex commercial disputes, international, and class actions. He is a graduate of Stanford University and the University of Virginia Law School.

In addition to his practice at Jackson Walker, Bob serves on the International Board of ARTICLE 19 and the Governing Committee of the American Bar Association Forum on Communications Law. He is also a former president of the Defense Counsel Section of the Media Law Resource Center.

Bob has served on the Executive Committee of World Rugby for seven years, and chairs the World Rugby Regulations Committee.  He is a former Chairman of the Board of USA Rugby as well as a former President of Rugby Americas North. Bob is also a published author and columnist, and a much sought-after speaker nationally and internationally. He has spoken on matters related to the rights of free speech, technology and intellectual property litigation, advocacy and litigation strategy, dispute resolution and sports – from Antwerp to Cape Town, Rio de Janeiro to Glasgow, and Melbourne to Yangzhou.

Bob also sits on the Major Gifts Committee of the International Board.

Lesley Swarbrick was appointed HR director of TI Media, formerly Time Inc. UK, in August 2014. In her nearly four years with the company, she was instrumental in the transformation of the business, leading a range of leadership and communication initiatives – including the work around the company’s strategic narrative.   Prior to joining Time Inc. UK, Lesley had a long and distinguished career in HR at the BBC spanning two decades. In addition, she ran a successful HR consultancy business, where her clients included the Financial Conduct Authority, Amnesty International and Fox International.

As HR Director BBC Vision, Lesley reported to the Executive Director and was responsible for supporting the Executive Directors of BBC Vision and BBC MC&A in developing, integrating and implementing the People Strategy to achieve the broader business objectives of the organisation.

Lesley is a former journalist with a strong interest in human rights and freedom of expression issues.