Yes, one person can be the default or designated information officer (IO) for multiple entities or responsible parties. The regulator’s portal allows you to register one person as the information officer for multiple entities. You can register multiple default or designated IOs on the portal. 

Some examples

  • I am the only director of a private company, a trustee of a trust and the director of a personal liability company. I am the default IO for all three.
  • Someone is the CEO for many private companies and therefore the default IO for all the responsible parties.
  • Someone is the designated IO for multiple entities. Many group companies will do this. According to the regulator’s guidance note, each company in the group needs to have an IO but it can be the same person.

What should I do?

All you need to do is register the information officer on the portal. To register the default IO you must select the first tab that says Information Officer. To register the designated IO you must select the Deputy Information Officer tab, type in the first IOs details and then select the option to save to the list. This will create a list of multiple designated IOs for one organisation.

If you are registering the same information officer for different entities, you’ll need to first submit the details of the officer, default officer and organisation details. Once you have successfully submitted the registration of the first entity you can draft another registration and the portal will allow you to enter the same details of the information officer but for another entity.

You could fill in the manual form to register an information officer and email it to the regulator. But we understand that emails to the regulator are bouncing because their mailboxes are full. The regulator is encouraging people to register information officers on their registration portal. We have created a guide on how to register your information officer on the regulator’s portal.

It would be better to do it online for many reasons.

It is not a criminal offence

The regulator will not hold organisations accountable if their systems are not working.

Failing to register your officer is not a criminal offence. Failing to get prior authorisation if you need it, is a criminal offence. People often get these two mixed up. The regulator has confirmed that no action will be taken against people who do not register because the portal was not working.