UK gov't names choice for new Information Commissioner

UK-- Christopher Graham, director general of the Advertising Standards Authority, has been announced as the government's preferred candidate to take over as Information Commissioner.

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) oversees data protection and freedom of information issues in the UK.

Current commissioner Richard Thomas, who will retire from his position in June, said: “I warmly welcome the announcement that Christopher Graham is the government's preferred candidate to be the next Information Commissioner. The new commissioner will be joining a strong and purposeful ICO with hard-working staff committed to the success of freedom of information and data protection.”

The select committee of the Ministry of Justice (which funds the ICO) will hold a pre-appointment hearing on Graham's candidacy before Justice Secretary Jack Straw decides whether to proceed with the appointment.

As well as his position at the Advertising Standards Authority, Graham has been a non-executive lay representative on the Bar Standards Board since 2006 and a non-executive director of the not-for-profit Electoral Reform Services since 2001.

Author: James Verrinder