The Royal Photographic Society (RPS) aims to serve as a more ‘powerful voice’ on photographers? rights, the newly announced director general has said today.

Dr Michael Pritchard (pictured, right) outlined his plan as part of a remit that will include raising the society?s national and international profile.

Pritchard, 46, who takes up the post on 20 September, said: ?At a time when photographers? rights and issues such a copyright are on the public agenda, the Society is needed more than ever to act as a powerful voice for photographers and photography.?

He added: ?I am confident I can bring new skills to bear that will help it do this.?

The RPS already plays an active role in defending photographers’ right to take pictures in public places.

Along with Amateur Photographer, and other campaign groups, the society’s president Rosemary Wilman, has met Home Office counter-terrorism officials and police to discuss the subject.

Pritchard is a former director at Christie?s auction house where, from 1986-2007, he was responsible for photographic auctions.

He has had a passion for photography since he was 10 years old.

Most recently he has taught at de Montfort University, Leicester and worked for the British Library on the historic Kodak archive.

Pritchard joined the RPS in 1979 and achieved his RPS Fellowship in 1986.

He will take over the role from Stuart Blake who has been director general since 2004.

Picture credit: © Michael Wong

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