Former JFSC Director joins Office of Information Commissioner NEDs

Wednesday 17 October 2018

Four new non-executive directors have joined the board governing the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC), including the recently retired Director General of the Jersey Financial Services Commission, John Harris

The board oversees the work of the OIC, which is responsible for regulating the Data Protection (Jersey) Law 2018 and the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011.

Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to recruit such a strong and well-balanced board for the Office of the Information Commissioner. The board combines local knowledge and experience with internationally recognised expertise, creating a distinguished team that will oversee the development of the OIC in partnership with its excellent executive leaders.

Maintaining the free flow of data between Jersey and our partners in the UK and the EU is a key priority for the Council of Ministers. With these new appointments, I have faith that OIC has the right skills, experience and expertise to ensure that the Jersey maintains its EU adequacy and is able to respond appropriately to any challenges presented by Brexit.”

Following the signing of the Ministerial Decision, there is now a two-week notification period during which the States Assembly has the power to amend the decision. 

The new appointments are:

Clarisse Girot – Clarisse Girot has worked in the field of data protection and privacy regulation in Europe and Asia. She was Assistant Commissioner with the French Data Protection Authority and has worked with jurisdictions such as Japan, China, and Singapore. 

David Smith – David Smith has served as Deputy Information Commissioner with the UK Information Commission Office. He is currently working as a Special Advisor to one of the UK’s top five law firms, providing data protection and related regulatory advice. 

Gailina Liew – Gailina Liew is an independent board director, entrepreneur and lawyer. She also leads the Jersey Policy Forum, as well as sitting on the Jersey Appointments Commission as Vice Chair and Commissioner.

John Harris – John Harris has recently retired after 12 years as Director General of the Jersey Financial Services Commission.