A&O associate takes on News International compliance role

A&O associate Victoria Rankmore has been seconded to News International to advise on compliance issues until the permanent post-holder is found (16 September 2011).

In a statement issued today News International’s chief executive Tom Mockridge revealed that the recruitment process for the hire of a permanent chief compliance officer is underway.

The new role will focus on ensuring that all members of staff adhere to the “highest standards of ethical behaviour” as well as “all relevant policies and procedures” put in place, he said.

The chief compliance officer will report directly to Mockridge, who replaced Rebekah Brooks after her resignation over the phone-hacking scandal in July 2011

News International recently issued each member of staff with a ‘News Corporation Standards of Business Conduct’ manual and has rolled out a compliance training and awareness programme.

A&O is one of a raft of firms advising on the Hackgate scandal. Clifford Chance is advising the company’s chief executive James Murdoch, who faces a recall to the culture media and sport select committee (16 September 2011) and Linklaters is advising News International on its internal investigation of phone-hacking  (21 July 2011).