Dear Candidate,
Thank you for your
interest in becoming a Member of the Information Commission’s board.
After the passage
of the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, the Information
Commissioner’s Office will be undergoing an exciting transformation to the new
Information Commission, governed by a statutory board.
The Information
Commission will be responsible for implementing and delivering a new flexible
and risk-based data
protection regime that will maintain high standards of data protection. It will
play a vital role in reducing burdens on businesses and researchers and enabling
innovations in science and technology that advance the health and
prosperity of society.
As a member of the
newly formed statutory board, you will become a Non-Executive Director (NED)
who has collective
responsibility for the newly modernised Information Commission. As well as
driving forwards the evolution of the UK’s data protection regulator, you
will support its work in upholding information rights in the public interest,
promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals. The
Information Commission will also play a key role in work of national and
international importance, such as supporting public confidence in the adoption of
new technologies.
The Information
Commission will empower the whole economy and public sector. This is why we are
seeking candidates
to apply who have the talent, skills and experience to govern the Information
Commission effectively to unlock these benefits.
Secretary of State
for Science, Innovation and Technology, Michelle Donelan
I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with the
Secretary of State in appointing our new Board. This is an exciting next
step in the evolution of the Information Commissioner’s Office, and I am
looking forward to working with my new colleagues to deliver our purpose
to empower individuals, businesses and organisations through information,
as well as ensuring the protection of the data and rights of people of the
UK and beyond. As an independent regulator, I believe the Board has a
critical role to play in ensuring that the work we do is proportionate,
fair and focussed on achieving impactful outcomes. A strong, diverse and
skilled cohort of Non-Executive Board members will enable the Board to
effectively challenge and scrutinise the organisation’s work, with a focus
on delivering regulatory interventions that improve people’s lives, reduce
burdens, promote economic growth and innovation and enable efficient
public services.
John Edwards, Information Commissioner and Future Chair
of the Information Commission
Candidates will provide strategic direction for the Information
Commission and oversee the effective management of the organisation,
leveraging their extensive skills, experience and skills to shape the direction
and governance of the new Information Commission.
This will include supporting the IC’s development, ensuring that
it is ahead of emerging risks and opportunities and is able to take
relevant, focused action on a wide range of data protection and transparency
matters.
Candidates will also have an awareness of UK’s positioning within
the global regulatory landscape, including on matters relating to
international competitiveness, technological development and the impact of data
regulation and policy on the wider UK economy.
Candidates must be credible individuals who could bring an
independent perspective, integrity, challenge and acumen to the development
and delivery of the IC’s strategy.
Aligned with this, candidates must be enthused about creating and
fostering a climate of success in which the new Information Commission
will develop. They will act in the best interests of the wider public.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the UK’s
independent information rights authority. Its purpose is to empower
through information, providing advice, guidance and support to organisations to
enable compliance with
their obligations, as well as protecting individuals and their personal data.
The ICO is undergoing an exciting transformation. The Data
Protection and Digital Information Bill will introduce reforms to
replace the ICO’s governance model with a “body corporate” structure, called
the Information Commission
(IC). This organisation will be governed by an independent statutory board of Non Executive Directors
(including the Chair), alongside executive board members such as the Chief
Executive.
The IC will oversee and enforce eleven pieces of legislation. This
includes the Data Protection Act 2018 (as amended by
the Data Protection and Digital Information Act 2024), UK General Data
Protection Legislation and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. You can read
the ICO’s current strategic plan, the ICO25 here.
We are initially seeking to appoint up to four Non-Executive
Directors who will play an integral role in strategic leadership,
planning, performance and decision making.
This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the
Commissioner’s website