SNRF Press Release

IIC Small Nations Regulators’ Forum

The International Institute of Communications has announced that Dr Allyson Leacock, Chairman of the Barbados Broadcasting Authority (BBA), will become Chair of its Small Nations Regulators’ Forum for 2021 & 2022. Allyson takes over from Dr Rainer Schnepfleitner, Director of the Office for Communications in Lichtenstein.

Welcoming the appointment, Chris Chapman, President of the IIC, said ‘I’m delighted that Allyson has agreed to accept the role of SNRF Chair. She is one of the most respected regulators in the business, and her wide-ranging experience will be invaluable in leading the debate on the regulatory challenges faced by small nations around the world. I want to thank Rainer for his work over the last year and am pleased that he will continue to participate in the forum in the future.’

As well as her role at the BBA, Dr Leacock is the Director of the Barbados Government’s National Transformation Initiative, has served on the Executive Board of the Global Media AIDS Initiative (GMAI) and has been Chairman of the Global Steering Committee for the World AIDS Campaign. She said: ‘I am honoured to serve as Chair of the SNRF. It’s a great opportunity to continue the sharing of experiences among small nations, but also ensure that we have a voice in the wider, global debate over the growing list of regulatory challenges facing our industry as digitisation accelerates. Issues such as platform regulation, competition rules, 5G and infrastructure investment are of critical importance and have major impact on small nations.’

Lynn Robinson, IIC Director General, said: ‘The Small Nations Regulators’ Forum is a vital part of ensuring that the IIC provides a platform for the widest possible contribution – it’s one of the jewels in the institute’s crown. We are very lucky to have someone of Allyson’s knowledge and standing on board to lead it.’