The Information Commission took over the Information Commissioner's Office's functions on 30 September 2026, according to a government news story published that day. The change moves the UK data protection regulator from a corporation sole, in which statutory powers were vested in the Information Commissioner, to a body corporate with executive and non-executive members holding collective responsibility for decisions.

The governance model was set out in the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, which received Royal Assent in June 2025. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said the transition does not change the regulator's role, responsibilities or powers for individuals and organisations, and that it will continue to regulate data protection and freedom of information legislation independently.

Digital Government Minister Stephanie Peacock said the Commission would provide independent oversight while bringing together expertise. The Commission is led by interim Chief Executive Paul Arnold alongside seven newly appointed non-executive members: Laurie Benson, Maggie Carver, Stephen Cohen, Sukhvinder Kaur-Stubbs, Gary Kildare, Hilary Newiss and Scott McPherson. Recruitment for a Chair was ongoing as of the source date.