Putting People First
Richard Thomas CBE: Putting People First
Putting People First
Wednesday 24 November 2010
Newton building, NTU City site
Lecture synopsis
In his lecture, Richard Thomas highlighted the importance of access, information, respect and redress for users of public services and the justice system, drawing on his experience as Information Commissioner and AJTC Chairman.
Speaker biography
Richard Thomas CBE has been Chairman of the Administrative Justice and Tribunals Council (AJTC) since 1 September 2009. He was the Information Commissioner from November 2002 until he retired on 28 June 2009.
His previous career has included:
- Director of Public Policy at Clifford Chance
- Director of Consumer Affairs at the Office of Fair Trading
- Head of Public Affairs / Legal Officer at the National Consumer Council
- Solicitor with the Citizens Advice Bureau Service.
He has also previously held various public appointments, including membership of the Lord Chancellor's Civil Justice Review Advisory Committee and the Board of the Financial Ombudsman Service. He has worked on a range of projects aimed at improving access to justice, including small claims courts and ombudsman schemes.
He is currently Deputy Chairman of the Consumers Association (publishers of Which? magazine), a trustee of the Whitehall and Industry Group, an adviser to the Centre for Information Policy Leadership and a board member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals.
