News International names WorldPay lawyer as new GC

Chinnery joins the company from WorldPay, where he was senior legal counsel. He replaces Simon Toms, who was interim general counsel following the departure of Jonathan Chapman in August 2011.

Chinnery will lead on all legal matters relating to News International with responsibility for editorial, the new compliance structure, and commercial activity.

Chief executive Tom Mockridge said in a statement: “I am delighted to welcome Paul to News International. We now have a great team in place to continue the work underway in changing how we operate as a business. This means rigorous adherence to high standards and compliance with new procedures.”

Before joining WorldPay, Chinnery was director of legal and commercial affairs at UK broadcaster Channel Five until 2010 (13 September 2010).

The appointment follows this week’s report by the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sports select committee into the phone hacking scandal at the former News International newspaper News of the World (1 May 2012), which criticised the behaviour of Chapman and former legal manager Tom Crone.