Information Commissioner makes key appointments

Paul Arnold has been appointed to the role of deputy chief executive officer, while James Dipple-Johnstone joins the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) as Deputy Commissioner for operations. Both will help strengthen the ICO’s strategic work in regulating the use of data.

Mr Arnold joined the ICO in 1998 and has held a number of senior leadership positions, most recently responsible for customer services, IT and Information Governance. Speaking on Mr Arnold’s new role, Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham said: “Given the breadth of Paul’s experience at the ICO, his outstanding service focus, and his excellent leadership credentials, I am delighted to have him take on the role of Deputy CEO. 

“I have found him to be incredibly hard working and capable, as well as committed to the ICO, and I look forward to working with Paul in the years to come.”

Mr Dipple-Johnstone, who is expected to join the ICO in June, is currently the director of investigation and supervision at the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA), where he leads the teams assessing and investigating the 12,000 reports it receives each year.

He has extensive experience of conduct and regulatory investigation and joined the SRA in 2015 from the Independent Police Complaints Commission, where he was commissioner for the North West England Police forces and a lead commissioner for the Hillsborough Investigation. He was previously director of investigations at the Office of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman where he headed the unit carrying out investigations into health service cases.

Ms Denham added: “I am delighted that James will be bringing his wealth of knowledge and experience in public sector regulation to the ICO, and I am confident he will prove to be a great asset to our team.

“These key appointments will strengthen the ICO’s ability to meet the many and varied challenges we will face in the months and years to come."