Transparency and FOI:  An Update from the ICO Graham Smith Deputy Information Commissioner and Director of FOI, Information Commissioner’s Office ( ICO )

Conference topic:  The hot word in FOI is “transparency”, as mandated by the new government.  In this talk, Graham Smith discusses the way forward under this new mandate.

Biography:  Graham Smith was appointed Deputy Information Commissioner in 2001 when the functions of the former Data Protection Commissioner were extended to cover freedom of information.  Prior to that Graham enjoyed a career in local government, working for 4 local authorities over a 20 year period.  He holds a law degree from the University of Sheffield and a Diploma in Local Government Law and Practice.  He was admitted as a Solicitor in 1982.  He joined the Information Commissioner’s Office from Oldham MBC, where he was Assistant Chief Executive and Solicitor to the Council.  One of two Deputy Commissioners who together head up the ICO’s policy and strategy functions, Graham has lead responsibility for FOI and access to environmental information.

Chair's opening remarks Hazel Moffat Partner, DLA Piper

Biography:  Hazel Moffat is a Partner at DLA Piper and is a key member of the firm’s Information Law Group.  She specialises particularly in freedom of information, data protection, data sharing and privacy.  Hazel has worked with both public and private sector clients on all aspects of information law including central government departments on major data sharing projects, global financial institutions, parliamentary authorities and the UK Information Commissioner.

Hazel is a Member of the Examination Board for the Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information and is a Member of the Law Society of Scotland’s Accreditation Panel for FOI and data protection.

Hazel is a Member of the Editorial Board of Freedom of Information and is a Member of the Examination Board for the Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information.

 

The Transparency Agenda Meets the Austerity Agenda:  How FOI, Procurement and Commercial Confidentiality Can Co-exist Hazel Grant Partner, Bristows

Conference topic:  There is an inherent conflict between procurement and outsourcing, and the expectations of confidentiality and commercial sensitivity. Under the Coalition Government’s transparency agenda, this conflict is set to intensify.  Hazel provides practical advice for dealing with this conflict.

Biography:  Hazel Grant is a Partner at Bristows, specialising in public procurements, complex information technology projects and information law. Hazel advises on data protection compliance, government data sharing projects, responses to freedom of information requests and handling appeals to decision notices.  Hazel is an editor of the Encyclopedia of Data Protection and Privacy, a contributing editor (on data protection and freedom of information) for the Encyclopedia of Information Technology Law (both Sweet & Maxwell).

Transparency, FOI, and the Public Record: Openness and a Culture of Trust Oliver Morley Acting Chief Executive, The National Archives

Conference topic:  An organisation’s internal response to transparency affects the effective handling of FOI requests.  Radical approaches to transparency create a new relationship between managers and their teams, which can, in turn, provide a meaningful reduction in the number of FOI requests.  In this talk, Oliver Morley shows how FOI professionals can lead the way within their organisation, while promoting the transparency agenda.

Biography:  Oliver Morley has overall responsibility for the current performance as well as the future direction of The National Archives.  His role is to lead in all The National Archives’ many different activities in working with government and in providing services to the public.  Oliver is Keeper of Public Records and Historic Manuscripts Commissioner, and also government’s Head of Profession in Knowledge and Information Management.  Oliver joined The National Archives as Director of Customer and Business Development in 2008, leading the team launching the 1911 census and online strategy.  Prior to this, Oliver worked at Thomson Reuters with global responsibility for ensuring improvement of information services for customers.

The Tipping Point: How Time Affects Sensitivity Stephanie Pearson Information Governance Manager, Nottingham City Council

Conference topic:  The passage of time affects the practical applicability of some FOI exemptions.  In this talk, Stephanie shows how something that was once certain (an absolute exemption) can become not so certain (a qualified exemption).

Biography:  Stephanie Pearson is Nottingham City Council’s Information Governance Manager, where she regularly provides professional advice and guidance to staff at all levels.  Stephanie combines her knowledge of local authority procedures and practices, her previous customer service background, and her expertise on Information Rights to lead her team effectively.  In the past, Nottingham City Council has been subject to intense scrutiny and Stephanie has been instrumental in completely overhauling procedures and policies, and changing the way Nottingham City Council operates.

Getting Personal:  When Must Personal Information be Disclosed? Jackie Gray Director, Dickinson Dees

Conference topic:  Meeting the Government’s transparency commitments and responding to FOI requests often presents a conflict regarding the privacy of staff and other people who have dealings with the public authority.  Jackie reviews current legal developments relating to the disclosure of personal information including the latest ICO, Tribunal and court decisions, and provides practical advice on dealing with decisions about the public disclosure of personal information.

Biography:   Jackie Gray is a Director at Dickinson Dees, specialising in information governance.  She acts on a variety of PPP/PFI projects and has advised on a wide range of public sector commercial work, with particular expertise in IT and outsourcing.  Jackie has worked with public authorities on implementing FOI procedures and she advises on the application of exemptions in relation to specific requests, handling reviews and appeals and dealing with information requests, as well as confidentiality issues in public procurements, including the application of exemptions to the publication of contractual information.  Jackie is a Member of the Editorial Board of Freedom of Information and is Head of the Examination Board for the Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information.

FOI Records Management: Tips from the Inside Clare Cowling Senior Compliance Adviser, Transport for London

Conference topic:  Good FOI practice requires good records management systems.  Being able to quickly find the correct document creates certainty and avoids delays.  In this talk, the experts from Transport for London give practical advice about how to make an organisation’s records management more efficient so as to save time, reduce costs and make the FOI Officer’s life easier.

Biography:  Clare Cowling began her career as an archivist in the Archives Office of Tasmania, then moved on to the National Archives of Australia.  After moving to the UK, she became the Records Manager for the University of London, King’s College London, as well as the Law Society.  She was appointed Records Manager for the Solicitors Regulation Authority in 2007.  In 2009 Clare took up the post of Senior Compliance Adviser (Information and Records Management) within the Information Governance directorate at Transport for London, working with the Information Access and Compliance Team.

FOI Records Management: Tips from the Inside Matt Towey Compliance Adviser, Transport for London

Conference topic:  Good FOI practice requires good records management systems. Being able to quickly find the correct document creates certainty and avoids delays.  In this talk, the experts from Transport for London give practical advice about how to make an organisation’s records management more efficient so as to save time, reduce costs and make the FOI Officer’s life easier.

Biography:  Matt Towey began his working life by selling gas and electricity door to door.  Realising he was a useless salesman he took up a post at the Information Commissioner’s Office assessing complaints under the Data Protection Act.  In 2007 Matt moved to London to take up the post of Compliance Adviser within Corporate Governance at Transport for London, where, amongst other things, he is responsible for information governance training.

Dealing with FOI under the Media Spotlight James Leaton Gray Head of Information Policy and Compliance, BBC

Conference topic:  The BBC doesn’t just report the news, it is news in its own right.  So how does the BBC’s FOI team deal with being under press scrutiny itself?  In this talk, James Leaton Gray reveals intriguing ways to deal with the press and the effects of press coverage on public authorities.

Biography:  James Leaton Gray heads the BBC’s Information Policy and Compliance Department, in the Legal section of the BBC’s Operations Group.  He oversees the operation of the Corporation’s systems for compliance with the Data Protection and Freedom of Information Acts, amongst others.  His team is involved in many high profile cases in this rapidly evolving area of the law.  James has been working in broadcasting, mainly for the BBC, for over 30 years.  He has worked on a wide variety of management roles including overseeing projects to ensure the BBC’s impartiality during elections and the introduction of staff multi-skilling in areas of BBC News.

James is a Member of the Examination Board for the Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information.

FOI: The Latest Topic Damien Welfare Barrister, 2-3 Gray’s Inn Square

Conference topic:  Information Commissioner and Tribunal decisions are being released all the time, with instant ramifications for FOI practitioners.  In this talk, Damien Welfare gives delegates guidance on emerging topics arising immediately before this Conference.

Biography:  Damien Welfare came to the Bar in 2001 after a career in Local Government.  He specialises in freedom of information, data protection and the Environmental Information Regulations.  He appears in the Information Tribunal, advises on all aspects of information law, and speaks and writes regularly on information law matters.  He is a member of the Editorial Board of Freedom of Information journal and is a Member of the Examination Board for the Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection.