On March 22, 2016, the UK government confirmed Elizabeth Denham as its preferred candidate to replace Christopher Graham as Information Commissioner. Subject to a pre-scrutiny hearing by the Culture, Media and Sports Select Committee and final approval from Her Majesty the Queen, Denham would begin her five-year term in mid-2016.

In announcing the selection of Denham as the government’s preferred candidate, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, John Whittingdale, referred to her track record and proactive approach to enforcing data protection law. Denham has held a number of senior leadership positions in the field of information rights in Canada, and currently serves as the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia. Her appointment as UK Information Commissioner will coincide with implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation, due to come into force in mid-2018.