Jersey’s Data Protection Authority Board announces the appointment of two new outstanding non-executive directors. The two new members join the chair, Jacob Kohnstamm and three existing board members to oversee the Jersey Office of the Information Commissioner (JOIC).
“Our two new members bring skills and expertise that complement those of our existing members. I am delighted that such high calibre local and international individuals are part of our team,” comments Jacob Kohnstamm, Chair, Jersey’s Data Protection Authority.
One of the new members is Helen Hatton, renowned as the prime architect of the modern Jersey financial regulatory regime. Helen’s professional background involves a wealth of ground-breaking financial initiatives. Additionally, she speaks regularly on regulatory compliance and regularly publishes papers on regulatory matters.
The second appointment is Paul Routier MBE. Paul was an elected member to the States of Jersey for 25 years and fulfilled the role as Assistant Chief Minister for some of this time. During Paul’s final term of office, he successfully led the debates in the States Assembly on the new data protection laws, which led to the establishment of the Jersey Data Protection Authority. Paul brings an unprecedented wealth of local knowledge to the Authority.
Chair Kohnstamm, states: “I am proud of the quality of the professionals who have agreed to join me as non-executive directors of the Board.”
The other members include:
- Clarisse Girot, who brings expertise and experience working in the field of data protection and privacy regulation in Europe and Asia and expertise in cross-border data flows;
- David Smith, who formerly served for many years as Deputy to the UK Information Commissioner; and
- Gailina Liew, who has expertise in appointments, Board governance and ethical implications of new technologies.
The board is part of the transition of JOIC towards greater independence from the Government of Jersey, in line with requirements of the European General Data Protection Regulation – GDPR.
The board will support the local office whilst holding it to account, having financial and strategic oversight. It will contribute to ensuring that the Island retains standards of data protection that are worthy of recognition from the European Commission as adequate to GDPR, which would maintain the current free flow of data between Jersey, the EU and the UK.
The Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré, signed the ministerial decision to appoint the new members of the board. The new appointments are effective from 1 August 2019 and members will take up a three-year term of office from this date.
Dr Jay Fedorak, Jersey’s Information Commissioner says: “Our team at the JOIC and the island of Jersey will benefit hugely from the highly-qualified and well-respected board additions. The Authority Chair and board members add enormous value to our work as they bring complementary skills and expertise in data protection internationally, as well as knowledge of Jersey, its culture and economic sector that is extremely valuable in guiding and evaluating our work.”
