Hunton recruits ex-data commissioner to support privacy practice

Hunton & Williams' data privacy think tank, the Centre for Information Policy Leadership (CIPL), has hired the former UK Information Commissioner as a strategy adviser. Richard Thomas, who was the UK Information Commissioner from November 2002 until his retirement at the end of June this year, joined the law firm in London today (15 October).

October 14, 2009 at 05:47 AM

2 minute read

By Legal Week

Hunton & Williams' data privacy think tank, the Centre for Information Policy Leadership (CIPL), has hired the former UK Information Commissioner as a strategy adviser.

Richard Thomas (pictured), who was the UK Information Commissioner from November 2002 until his retirement at the end of June this year, joined the law firm in London today (15 October).

He will work part-time with the CIPL, helping to develop new policy ideas on the management of privacy protection and data risk.

In his previous role he reported directly to Parliament on a range of regulatory and advisory matters under the Data Protection Act, the Freedom of Information Act and related laws.

Before taking on that role he held posts including director of public policy at Clifford Chance.

The CIPL was founded by Hunton in Washington in 2001 to work with global companies discussing policies around privacy and information issues. The think tank counts Google, Bank of America, IBM and Microsoft among its 40 members and sits within the privacy and information management practice at Hunton.

Hunton's London head of privacy and global sourcing, Bridget Treacy, also an executive member of CIPL, commented: "For Hunton, recruiting Richard underscores our commitment to privacy and information management. It will enable our clients to have access to the latest thinking on emerging privacy issues."