Information Commissioner, Elizabeth Denham, named most influential person in data-driven business
Elizabeth Denham has been announced number one in the 2018 edition of the DataIQ 100 at the annual unveiling ceremony in London, yesterday evening. The power list, now in its fifth year, celebrates the the top influencers in the world of data.
DataIQ brings together data and analytics leaders; creating a platform for innovation and leading the conversation to inspire, connect, engage, and educate this community.
The DataIQ 100 list profiles the most influential people in data-driven business, and recognises individuals who show leadership, engagement with the broader data and analytics industry, and those who support DataIQ’s mission of advancing the profession of data and analytics.
A ‘power 10’ is also chosen from the list, ranked by importance and influence over the preceding 12 months.
UK Information Commissioner, Elizabeth Denham, said:
“DataIQ provides an important forum for data professionals to share best practice and learning – essential in such a fast paced and changing environment.
“Leaders and practitioners in this space – everyone in data and analytics should learn from data, and augment their services through data intelligence – but also ensure that they don’t lose sight of their brand and the essence of their service.
“Data is a powerful tool; when used ethically and responsibly it can be used to empower and enrich all our lives. It is incumbent on all of us as data professionals to earn the trust and confidence of the public in how their personal data is used, so that everyone benefits in a data driven world.
“The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a game changer and a powerful incentive for businesses to embrace good data protection practice. I am encouraged by the many organisations that see the data opportunities the law presents, rather than the barriers it throws up.
“My role allows me to engage with progressive companies and public bodies looking to adopt privacy by design solutions. I am struck by entrepreneurial development of products which minimise the amount of personal data processed and which maximise the control people have over their data.
“As the head of the agency charged with protecting UK citizens’ information rights, I am honoured to work with 500 staff dedicated to innovative regulation and excellent public service.”
Ms Denham was appointed as UK Information Commissioner in 2016, after serving as Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia, Canada and Assistant Privacy Commissioner of Canada.
Since taking up her role at the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) she has set out a commitment to increase consumer trust people have in what happens to their personal data.
Notes to Editors
- The Information Commissioner’s Office upholds information rights in the public interest, promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals.
- The ICO has specific responsibilities set out in the Data Protection Act 1998, the Freedom of Information Act 2000, Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003.
- The ICO can take action to change the behaviour of organisations and individuals that collect, use and keep personal information. This includes criminal prosecution, non-criminal enforcement and audit. The ICO has the power to impose a monetary penalty on a data controller of up to £500,000.
- The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a new law which will apply in the UK from 25 May 2018. The Government has confirmed the UK’s decision to leave the EU will not affect the commencement of the GDPR. The Government is introducing measures related to this and wider data protection reforms in a Data Protection Bill.
- Anyone who processes personal information must comply with eight principles of the Data Protection Act, which make sure that personal information is:
- fairly and lawfully processed;
- processed for limited purposes;
- adequate, relevant and not excessive;
- accurate and up to date;
- not kept for longer than is necessary;
- processed in line with your rights;
- secure; and
- not transferred to other countries without adequate protection.
- Civil Monetary Penalties (CMPs) are subject to a right of appeal to the (First-tier Tribunal) General Regulatory Chamber against the imposition of the monetary penalty and/or the amount of the penalty specified in the monetary penalty notice.
- Any monetary penalty is paid into the Treasury’s Consolidated Fund and is not kept by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
- To report a concern to the ICO telephone our helpline 0303 123 1113 or go to org.uk/concerns/