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.