Drew McArthur has been appointed British Columbia’s acting information and privacy commissioner, Finance Minister Michael de Jong announced today.

McArthur will assume the duties of outgoing information and privacy commissioner Elizabeth Denham, who has accepted a role as the United Kingdom’s next information commissioner. He brings experience and familiarity to the role, having served six years on the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner’s external advisory board.

As TELUS’ chief compliance officer, McArthur was instrumental in the development and implementation of the privacy policy for Canada’s second largest telecommunications company. In addition to developing this industry-leading policy, McArthur helped to foster a greater understanding of the practical applications of Canada’s private sector privacy legislation.

McArthur is also a founding member of the Canadian Council of Chief Privacy Officers. He worked with the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) to help develop the Canadian professional certification program. McArthur also holds the honour of being the first individual to achieve the designation of Certified International Privacy Professional of Canada from the IAPP.