New data watchdog appointed

Wednesday 28 April 2021

Jersey’s Deputy Information Commissioner is to step into the role of Commissioner when his term of office expires in just over two months’ time.

Paul Vane, who has been Deputy Commissioner since 2004, will take over from Dr Jay Fedorak on Friday 2 July.

“We very much welcome Paul’s pending appointment as Information Commissioner,” Chair of the Data Protection Authority Jacob Kohnstamm said.

“The competition panel recommended Paul unanimously as the best among other very competent candidates in an international search.

“The board of the JDPA therefore endorsed wholeheartedly this recommendation. Although it had no bearing on the result of the competition, the fact that Paul was born and raised in Jersey will certainly be helpful to him in guiding the Jersey community in complying with the data protection laws.” 

Pictured: Dr Jay Fedorak, whose term of office as Information Commissioner ends in July.

Mr Kohnstamm also paid tribute to the work of Dr Fedorak, whose international expertise he said had been a great asset to Jersey. 

“He led the office through a very important transitional phase in implementing new laws and establishing complete independence from government. He will leave JOIC a confident and helpful organisation on the Jersey regulatory landscape. Although it will pain us to lose him, we wish him many happy years in his well-earned retirement," Mr Kohnstamm commented.

The Jersey Office of the Information Commissioner has grown considerably since the Data Protection Law was revised in 2018 to align it to the European General Data Protection Regulation, now with 13 staff. 

Mr Vane will lead the team as it works to meet emerging data challenges presented by digital technology.

Mr Vane said he was “honoured and privileged” to have been appointed, adding: “Together with my talented team, I am looking forward to the road ahead and ensuring that data protection remains a fundamental human right for every islander.”