ICO head Christopher Graham steps down after seven years

Elizabeth Denham to take over as Information Commissioner

The head of the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), Christopher Graham, will step down from his role today after completing a seven-year tenure in the top job. He will be replaced by Elizabeth Denham, who was information and privacy commissioner in British Columbia.

Graham's departure comes on the same day as the publication of the ICO's annual report on the regulator's work over the past 12 months, which he used to mark the end of his role.

"After seven exciting and eventful years as Information Commissioner I am confident that I am handing to my successor an organisation that is in good shape and good heart, and ready for the changes and challenges ahead," he said.

"It has been an honour and a privilege to serve in the role at such an interesting and demanding time for information rights."

Graham also used his departure to underline that the ICO will work with the government to understand the future of the organisation in a post-Brexit Britain.

"Over the coming weeks we will be discussing with government the implications of the referendum result and its impact on data protection reform in the UK," he explained.

"With so many businesses and services operating across borders, international consistency around data protection laws and rights is crucial to businesses and organisations and to consumers and citizens.

"Having clear laws with safeguards in place is more important than ever given the growing digital economy, and we will be speaking to government to present our view that reform of the UK law remains necessary."