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Jess Merryfield

Head of Policy and Campaigns, CTSI

Jessica is a Chartered Trading Standards Practitioner, with a strong sense of fairness and social justice. Jessica was appointed Head of Policy and Campaigns at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute in April 2024, bringing two decades’ experience in a variety of Trading Standards, Environmental Heath and regulatory-based roles across the public and private sector.

At CTSI, Jessica is leading on CTSI’s Policy work, including helping CTSI to drive change and build influence externally, championing the work of the Trading Standards profession and workforce. She is heavily involved in horizon scanning for new and emerging trends which will impact businesses, consumers and Trading Standards professionals working in all sectors. Jessica and her team use this information to create evidence and risk-based policies and campaigns from which CTSI can raise awareness and push for change.

Jessica is a Christian and her faith has been instrumental in guiding her to the career she has enjoyed to date, using her knowledge and skills to bring the biggest benefit to as many as possible. Jessica graduated with a degree in Environmental Health, before making the switch to Trading Standards, working her way through the qualification process until she was awarded the Diploma in Consumer Affairs and Trading Standards (DCATS) by CTSI. It is believed that Jessica is the first person in the history of both the UK Environmental Health and Trading Standards professions to hold both qualifications.

16.30 - 17.15

Monday TRACK I

Panel: Challenges of Misinformation in the Digital Age

The panel addresses the growing impact of mis- and dis-information across digital platforms and its implications for society, governance, and technology. Speakers will discuss the role of AI in both spreading and combating mis/disinformation, as well as the ethical and regulatory challenges involved. The panel aims to provide insights into how misinformation can be effectively addressed while balancing free speech, platform responsibility, and technological innovation.