09 November 2017
The pan-Island Information Commissioner has announced that she will be leaving her post in March 2018 after 14 years working for Jersey.
Emma Martins took on responsibilities for data protection in Jersey in 2004, and has provided professional leadership since then as the importance of data in our private and professional lives has grown significantly.
Since 2011 she has supported both Jersey and Guernsey, including preparing to implement new EU Data Protection Regulations.
Assistant Chief Minister, Senator Paul Routier, said “Data protection is essential for Islanders and businesses – now more than ever. Mrs Martins has played an important role in Jersey and I thank her and wish her all the very best for the future.”
Following an extensive consultation process, the new legislation in Jersey has recently been approved by the Council of Ministers for presentation to the States Assembly in December, in line with the agreed timetable.
Dedicated Jersey Commission
The States of Guernsey have decided that they would like to avoid a pan-Channel Island Information Commissioner managing two different sets of legislation and are intending to establish their own Information Commission. Jersey’s government will bring forward plans for a dedicated Jersey Information Commission to maintain a GDPR-equivalent regime and a properly resourced regulatory body.
Senator Routier continued “Jersey places the highest importance on data protection matters, and our new legislation will serve the needs of Islanders and businesses for the future. We will continue to work constructively with Guernsey on a wide range of matters, but as the importance of data will continue to grow, so it is right that we appoint a dedicated Jersey regulator to oversee our compliance with the new legislation.”
A recruitment process is now beginning to find a replacement for Mrs Martins. The new legislation in Jersey is expected to be in place in May, 2018.
gov.je