A Bermudian lawyer has been appointed the new Information Commissioner.

Jason Outerbridge will take up the post on March 1, succeeding Gitanjali Gutierrez, who announced her retirement last week.

According to a government spokeswoman, Mr Outerbridge was selected from a competitive, international field of candidates through an open recruitment process. He previously was employed as the Assistant Information Commissioner.

Mr Outerbridge, a graduate of The Berkeley Institute and Bermuda College, also holds qualifications in information rights law and mediation.

He said: “I am dedicated to ensuring that citizens' rights to access public information are rigorously protected while upholding the highest standards of integrity, impartiality, accountability, privacy and ethical practice.

“My leadership will focus on innovation, fairness and the continued strengthening of public trust in how information is managed, protected and shared by public authorities.”