John Edwards is a New Zealand lawyer and civil servant who is the United Kingdom Information Commissioner,[1] and was previously the New Zealand Privacy Commissioner from 2014 to 2021.[2]
John Edwards | |
---|---|
Sixth Information Commissioner | |
Assumed office 3 January 2022 | |
Preceded by | Elizabeth Denham |
Third Privacy Commissioner | |
In office 17 February 2014 – 31 December 2021 | |
Preceded by | Marie Shroff |
Personal details | |
Citizenship | New Zealand |
Alma mater | Victoria University of Wellington |
Edwards was brought up in New Plymouth[3] and practised law in Wellington for over 20 years specialising in information law.[2] He also served as legal counsel for the New Zealand Families Commission from 2003 to 2013, and as a senior solicitor at the Ministry of Health from 1997 to 1999.[4]
Edwards was the New Zealand Privacy Commissioner, first appointed in 2014 and held the post until 31 December 2021.[2] During his tenure he was also chairman of the Global Privacy Assembly from 2014 to 2017.[5]
On 21 December 2021, Edwards was formally appointed by letters patent as the United Kingdom's sixth[5] Information Commissioner, and took office on 3 January 2022.[1]