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Patrick Swaffer

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Patrick Swaffer
Born (1951-02-12) 12 February 1951 (age 73)
London, England
Alma materUniversity of Exeter
OccupationMedia lawyer
Years active1974–present
Known forFormer president of the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC)
Children3

Patrick Swaffer (born 12 February 1951) is a British lawyer who has worked in a wide variety of media organisations. Formerly a legal advisor to the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), he was appointed its president by the BBFC's Council of Management after an open competition on 17 October 2012, serving in the role for a decade. Swaffer is known for his input to the Media/Entertainment industry.[1]

Career

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Patrick Swaffer was born and raised in London.[2] He graduated from the University of Exeter with a law degree in 1973.[2][3] In 1974, he joined Goodman Derrick solicitors as a senior and managing partner and completed his training for this position in 1976; he became a partner to the firm in 1979 in the Media department, in 2009 he became a consultant to that firm.[4] Swaffer also sits as a recorder in the Crown Court on the South Eastern Circuit.[1] He is currently a partner in Media Compliance Services LLP.[5][6]

Formerly a legal advisor to the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), Swaffer became its president in 2012, succeeding Sir Quentin Thomas.[5][7] It was announced in September 2022 that after a decade in the role Swaffer would be stepping down as president of the BBFC, to be replaced by Natasha Kaplinsky, effective from 17 October.[8][9]

Swaffer chairs the board of the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum.[10]

Personal life

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Swaffer married his wife Niroo in 1986 and they have three sons: Andrew, Matthew and Nicholas.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b http://www.gdlaw.co.uk/profiles/patrick-swaffer [dead link]
  2. ^ a b c "Honorary graduates 2022". University of exeter. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
  3. ^ "Alumni inspire law firm to support students". University of Exeter. 1 April 2008.
  4. ^ http://www.chambersandpartners.com/uk/Firms/99999999-72900/10386 [dead link]
  5. ^ a b "BBFC Announces New President". 17 October 2012.
  6. ^ "Patrick Swaffer". Media Compliance Services LLP. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  7. ^ "BBFC announces Patrick Swaffer as new president". BBC News. 17 October 2012.
  8. ^ "BBFC announces Natasha Kaplinsky OBE as new President". BBFC. 28 September 2022. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
  9. ^ Dalton, Ben (28 September 2022). "Natasha Kaplinksy appointed BBFC president". Screen Daily. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
  10. ^ "About the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum". The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
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Media offices
Preceded by President of the British Board of Film Classification
2012–2022
Succeeded by