MBEs for senior ICO employees bestowed in New Year Honours List

Paul Arnold receives his award for services to regulation and equality, diversity and inclusion. Arnold boasts over 25 years’ experience gained in regulating data protection and freedom of information.

Supporting the past five Information Commissioners, Arnold has been integral to the sustained development and transformation of the ICO as a regulator, empowering individuals to confidently share their information to use the products and services that drive the economy, while helping organisations to responsibly use information to innovate and grow.

In addition to being an experienced executive leader and Board member, Arnold has lived with severe sight loss since birth and is passionate about challenging and breaking down the societal assumptions and barriers which all-too-often prevent blind and partially sighted people from succeeding in all aspects of life.

Equality of opportunity

Arnold’s commitment to this cause has also recently seen him appointed to the Board of Trustees at the Royal National Institute of Blind People.

On receiving his MBE, Paul Arnold stated: “I’m honoured to have been nominated for and to receive this award in recognition of both my regulatory and wider work. I’m passionate about fairness and equality of opportunity in all aspects of life. I’m extraordinarily proud of my work at the ICO and with the RNIB and I’m honoured to be recognised in this way.”

Arnold also commented: “This award is an acknowledgement of the accomplishments of the hundreds of talented and dedicated colleagues I’ve worked with during my career in all four regions of the UK and the crucial importance of our work together.”

Portfolio of roles

Nicky Wood is a former solicitor and boasts a broad portfolio of roles in addition to her position as the ICO’s senior independent director. Wood receives her award for services to regulation.

Commenting on the MBE, Wood explained: “It has been a huge honour to be the senior independent director of the ICO, so I’m absolutely thrilled to be appointed an MBE for services to regulation. The ICO’s work reaches into fundamental aspects of UK life and has a significance that goes beyond our shores. I’m delighted that our work has been recognised in this way.”

Offering his congratulations to Arnold and Wood, Information Commissioner John Edwards commented: “These are well deserved honours recognising the hard work and dedication both Paul and Nicky have in striving to make a positive impact on society. On behalf of the ICO, I offer them both our warmest congratulations and look forward to the many more accomplishments that undoubtedly lie ahead.”