Fiona Dickie appointed Pubs Code Adjudicator

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has today announced the appointment of Fiona Dickie as the next Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA).

Ms Dickie, who has served as Deputy Pubs Code Adjudicator since November 2017, will take over from the current Adjudicator, Paul Newby, when he steps down at the beginning of May.

Commenting on her appointment, Fiona Dickie said:

“I am delighted to have been appointed Pubs Code Adjudicator in succession to Paul Newby. I intend to be a strong champion for the rights and protections Parliament has given to tied tenants through the Pubs Code. The regulated pub companies know I will be clear and frank with them about my expectations when it comes to Code compliance. As Adjudicator, I intend to use my position to ensure that they deliver on their statutory obligations, and to make sure Code rights are understood by tied tenants and that accessing them is straightforward.”

Priorities for the new Adjudicator will include working with BEIS on the delivery of their statutory review of the Pubs Code; ongoing efforts to raise and maintain Pubs Code awareness amongst tied pub tenants and the wider industry; and embedding into pub-owning businesses’ policies and processes the PCA’s expectations about how Market Rent Only (MRO) proposals must be prepared. The regulatory work of the PCA and the office continues, including the current statutory investigation into the stocking policies of Star Pubs and Bars (Heineken UK).