Richard Thomas has been reappointed as information commissioner for a further two years.
Thomas was appointed in November 2002 and is being reappointed for a further term but, at his own request, only until his 60th birthday in June 2009.
The commissioner has responsibility for enforcing the Freedom of Information Act, the Data Protection Act and related legislation.
The functions of his office include promoting good practice, ruling on complaints under this legislation, providing information to individuals and organisations, and taking appropriate action when the law is broken.
His previous career has encompassed public, private and voluntary sectors, including stints as director of public policy at law firm Clifford Chance, and director of consumer affairs at the Office of Fair Trading.
