Designated Data Protection Officer (DDPO)

Under the GDPR, appointing a Designated Data Protection Officer (DDPO) is mandatory in certain circumstances—and failing to do so when required is a compliance offence. We support organisations in determining whether a DDPO is legally required, and provide practical guidance on how to appoint and structure the role appropriately.

When Is a DPO Required?

A DPO must be appointed if:

✅ Processing is carried out by a public authority or body
✅ The organisation’s core activities involve regular and systematic monitoring of individuals on a large scale
✅ The core activities involve large-scale processing of special category data or data relating to criminal convictions and offences

What You Need to Know

Appointing a DPO isn’t just about meeting a legal checkbox—it carries serious HR, governance, and organisational implications:

🔹 The DPO must act independently and cannot be instructed on how to perform their duties (Article 38(3)).
🔹 A DPO cannot be dismissed or penalised for performing their tasks (Article 38(3)).
🔹 There must be no conflict of interest—meaning the DPO cannot be the CEO, Head of HR, Head of IT, or hold a role that determines processing purposes (Article 38(6)).

Why Work With Us?

✅ Assess whether your organisation is legally required to appoint a DPO
✅ Avoid accidental non-compliance or inappropriate appointments
✅ Ensure the role is properly structured, supported, and aligned with regulatory expectations
✅ Gain access to independent experts in data protection who can fulfil the role externally if needed

Whether you're appointing an internal DPO or seeking outsourced support, we help ensure that your organisation remains compliant—and that the DPO role is effective, impartial, and legally sound.