What it's like being an economist at the ICO

Tom Reynolds, the Chief Economist at the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), recently published a blog post discussing his experience working in the ICO's Economic Analysis team. This team is responsible for providing economic analysis and advice to support all of the ICO's activities. Given that the ICO regulates the entire UK economy, the work of the team is incredibly varied. It can include anything from examining the interaction between data protection and competition in a new technology market to conducting impact assessments for policies aimed at safeguarding children's privacy.

To ensure that the team is able to tackle these complex and important issues, the ICO provides continuous opportunities for skill-building and career development. The organization has an Economics Profession that helps economists identify opportunities for learning and growth, and to understand potential career pathways. Additionally, as an independent public body, the ICO offers Associate Membership of the Government Economic Service (GES), which provides access to a wide range of benefits and learning opportunities.

The ICO's Economic Analysis team also plays an important role in the wider economics community. They frequently collaborate with academics and researchers to stay up-to-date on the latest findings and make sure they are incorporating the most relevant research into their work. The team also works with economists from regulators all over the world to share best practices and learn from one another.

If you are interested in learning more about the ICO's work, the Economics Profession, or the team's role in the wider economics community, you can find additional information on the ICO's website.