The appointment of Richard Thomas as the new Information
Commissioner was announced yesterday, in succession to Elizabeth
France. Mrs France steps down from the post later this year to
become the UK’s first Telecoms Ombudsman, heading a new
industry-funded consumer body.
The Information Commissioner is the independent supervisory
authority for compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and with
the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The Commissioner’s duties
include promoting the compliance with data protection law by data
controllers and giving advice to the public on their rights
regarding privacy and freedom of speech.
Mr Thomas, aged 53, trained with law firm Freshfields then
worked as a Community Lawyer for the Citizens Advice Bureau Legal
Advice Service before becoming Legal Officer and then Head of
Public Affairs for the National Consumer Council.
He also acted as Director of Consumer Affairs at the Office of
Fair Trading for 6 years. He has been Director of Public Policy for
law firm Clifford Chance since 1992 and is currently a
non-executive director of the Financial Ombudsman Service.
