Open Rights Group announces Jim Killock as new Executive Director

7 January 2008

For immediate release

OPEN RIGHTS GROUP ANNOUNCES JIM KILLOCK AS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Open Rights Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Jim Killock as its new Executive Director. Jim joins the Open Rights Group from his position as External Communications Co-ordinator of the Green Party.

Jim was a leading figure in the campaign to elect the Green Party’s first party leader, Caroline Lucas MEP. He coordinated the Green Party’s successful “Census Alert” campaign, which prevented the census data of UK citizens from being handled by US arms company Lockheed Martin. He also promoted campaigns on open source and other copyright and patent reform issues.

Jim Killock said, “I’m delighted to be joining ORG at this crucial moment in the struggle for civil rights online.

“As Andy Burnham’s shown this Christmas in asking for websites to be given cinema-style ratings, Government Ministers are still ready to put knee-jerk appeals to our fears and doubts ahead of rational policy.

“ORG campaigns to make our digital society work for citizens: working to protect our privacy, and our freedom to express and create. I hope to bring those campaigns to an ever wider audience, because these are fundamental rights that everyone needs defending in this new world.

Jim will replace Becky Hogge, who has served ORG as its Executive Director for the last two years, and Jim and Becky will be working closely together in January to ensure a smooth transition. Becky said, “I’m pleased to be handing over the reins of this inspiring organisation to someone as qualified and enthusiastic as Jim. I wish him the best of luck in what is by anyone’s measure an important year for digital rights.”

Jim Killock is available for interview. Please call 020 7096 1079 in the first instance.

About the Open Rights Group

The Open Rights Group is a digital rights advocacy group based in the UK. It aims to increase awareness of digital rights issues, help foster grassroots activity and preserve civil liberties and consumer rights in the digital age.