Chair of the Information Commission

Appointment description

The Chair will be expected to:

• Provide leadership, oversight and strategic direction to the Information Commission, ensuring it delivers its statutory functions effectively, independently and in the public interest.
• Bring together the diverse perspectives and experiences of Board members to guide discussion, establish effective ways of working and shape a professional and accountable Board culture.
• Oversee the performance of the Board and its members.
• Provide challenge and support to help the Information Commission deliver its objectives, ensuring sound financial management, good corporate governance and regular performance oversight.
• Ensure the Information Commission has the skills and capability required to respond to current and future regulatory challenges in a rapidly evolving data and digital landscape. Promote diversity, inclusion and fair treatment across its workforce.
• Consider the government's wider strategic priorities, including promoting economic growth and showing commitment to proportionate, risk-based regulation that minimises burdens whilst protecting individual rights.
• Represent the Information Commission with authority and credibility to the public, industry, civil society, Ministers, Parliament, international partners and the public.

Organisation description

The Information Commission was established by the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 to succeed the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) as the UK's independent supervisory authority with responsibility for monitoring and enforcing the application of data protection legislation in the UK.

Later this year, the Information Commission will be taking over all the functions and responsibilities of the ICO. In doing so, the Commission will be responsible for the regulation of personal data protection and privacy and electronic communications legislation and will also be empowered to take regulatory action under other legislation, including the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Network and Information System Regulations 2018.

In line with these responsibilities, the Commission will inherit a range of important public-facing functions. These include providing advice to individuals about their information rights and obligations, handling complaints, and taking proportionate action to improve organisations' information rights practices, enforcing the law where necessary. The Commission will also play a significant role internationally in upholding and developing high standards of data protection.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• A track record of successful strategic leadership to set direction on complex, technical or rapidly evolving issues and to drive forward priorities of the organisation. (Lead criteria)
• Extensive board-level experience in high-profile organisations, with a proven ability to lead diverse boards, foster constructive challenge, build consensus and ensure effective governance and decision-making.
• A proven ability to scrutinise and challenge the running of an organisation, including its financial, performance and risk management.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to represent a high-profile organisation with authority to a wide range of stakeholders.
• Demonstrable ability to work closely with the executive team and other internal and external stakeholders and build trusted relationships.

Please note: If we receive a high volume of applications, the panel will assess candidates against the lead criteria only as indicated above.

Desirable criteria

• Senior experience working or consulting in the regulatory landscape either domestically or internationally, preferably in areas relevant to the Information Commission's remit.
• An understanding of the Information Commission's work, priorities and challenges and the context within which it operates.

Terms of appointment

Appointment term: An initial period of 4 years

Remuneration: £120,000 per annum.

Time Commitment: The Chair will be expected to commit to an average of 3 days per week (156 days per year).

Location: Hybrid. The Information Commission headquarters will be located in Manchester, UK.

Attendance: The Chair will be expected to attend board meetings and similar engagement at the Information Commission's offices in Manchester and London.

Nature of Appointment: This appointment is made by His Majesty the King on the recommendation of the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology. The post holder will be an officeholder and not an employee of the Department or the public body.

Application Process:

Apply here: Appointment details - Information Commission Chair - Apply for a public appointment - GOV.UK

A CV of maximum two pages and an accompanying covering letter setting out suitability for the role of no more than two pages.

The appointment will be made in accordance with the Cabinet Office's Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointment process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

The preferred candidate for the role of Chair will be required to appear before a Parliamentary Select Committee for a pre-appointment hearing.

Equality and Diversity:

We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom.

We collect data about applicants' characteristics and backgrounds, including information about people's educational and professional backgrounds, so that we can make sure we are attracting a broad range of people to the role and that our selection processes are fair for everyone. Without this information, it makes it difficult to see if our outreach is working, if the application process is having an unfair impact on certain groups and whether changes are making a positive difference.

When you submit your application, your responses are collected by the Cabinet Office and the government department(s) managing your application. The data is used to produce management information about the diversity of applicants. You can select "prefer not to say" to any question you do not wish to answer. The information you provide will not be seen by the Advisory Assessment Panel who review applications against the advertised criteria and conduct interviews.