Government reappoints Fiona Dickie as Pubs Code adjudicator

Fiona Dickie has been reappointed Pubs Code adjudicator (PCA) for a further three years, the government has announced.

The former deputy Pubs Code adjudicator (November 2017-May 2020) and vice-president of the valuation tribunal for England (2009-2020) will be responsible for enforcing the statutory Pubs Code, which governs the relationship between large pub-owning businesses and their tied pub tenants across England and Wales.

As part of her role, Dickie is able to arbitrate individual disputes regarding the Pubs Code, investigate suspected breaches and impose sanctions or financial penalties where necessary.

She said: “Much progress has been made in restoring balance in the relationship between tied pub tenants and pub-owning businesses through embedding cultural change in the tied sector so that tenants’ businesses can thrive. I am proud of the PCA’s success in reducing arbitration cases and successfully completing the first investigation under the code.

“I will continue the important work to promote transparency and responsible compliance behaviours and, through improved communication and early engagement with the sector, help to avoid formal disputes while ensuring tenants’ code rights are protected.”

The Pubs Code and the appointment of a PCA followed the passing of the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment (SBEE) Act 2015.

Photography: Paolo Paradiso/Shutterstock