Update to the term of the UK’s Information Commissioner
Arrangements confirmed in advance of the incoming Information Commissioner beginning his term in January.
Elizabeth Denham’s term as the Information Commissioner comes to an end on 30 November 2021.
John Edwards, who is currently serving as the New Zealand Privacy Commissioner, was approved by the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee as the next Information Commissioner after a pre-appointment hearing on 9 September 2021. Mr Edwards is expected to take up his position on 3 January 2022.
Paul Arnold, the ICO’s Deputy Chief Executive, will be designated as the ICO’s Accounting Officer from 1 December 2021 until 2 January 2022. The regulatory responsibilities of the Commissioner are delegated to Deputy Commissioners through the ICO’s Scheme of Delegation. This ensures continuity of regulatory decision making during this period.
Notes for editors
The ICO is the UK’s independent body set up to uphold information rights. The Department for Digital, Media, Culture and Sport is the ICO’s sponsoring department within Government. Further information about the ICO and its work can be found online at www.ico.org.uk.
Paragraph 6 of schedule 12 to the Data Protection Act 2018 allows the Commissioner to delegate their functions to their deputies. The Scheme of Delegation formally details the Commissioner’s main delegations in relation to their regulatory and administrative leadership and performance responsibilities.