-
Richard Cumbley
Partner, Linklaters
Richard advises multinationals and governments on complex information management and data privacy issues. He has worked on data related projects across the globe, including major data security incidents, large-scale privacy litigation, appearances before regulators, contentious and large-scale subject access issues, online monitoring techniques, government access programs, data localisation and “big data”.
Richard also counsels clients on the implications of new technology such as 3D printing, blockchain technology, interactive TV and IOT.
In addition, Richard advises on complex technology contracts, including large scale outsourcing, cloud services, technology development and related services contracts in both contentious and non-contentious environments.
Based in London and Dublin, Richard has advised on IT, data protection, information governance and outsourcing deals in more than half of the firm’s offices around the world. He also works closely with the firm’s leading Corporate lawyers on technology and separation issues associated with corporate transactions. He is ranked by both Legal 500 and Chambers as in the first tier of UK privacy and data lawyers.
-
Robin Edwards
Policy Team Leader, Data Protection Policy, DSIT
Robin Edwards is a policy team leader in the Data Protection Policy Team in DSIT. He joined the team in March 2017 to help take the Data Protection Act 2018 through Parliament and implement the GDPR. Since then, he has worked on legislative changes that were necessary following the UK’s exit from the EU, and the development of the Data Protection and Digital Information and Data (Use and Access) Bills. Before data protection, Robin spent several years in criminal law policy in the Ministry of Justice and immigration policy in the Home Office.
-
Seema Mistry
Head of Legislative Reform, ICO
Seema has led the team providing the interface between the ICO, government and stakeholders on the data protection reforms since 2021. With her public policy and international regulatory affairs background, Seema has run multidisciplinary policy and delivery teams across a range of regulators over the last 15 years, including working at Ofcom on digital markets regulation and competition and prior to that, at the UK Regulator’s Network and the Financial Conduct Authority. Seema started her career in Brussels, following a Masters in European Political and Administrative Studies at the College of Europe in Bruges.
-
Owen Rowland
Deputy Director, Head of Data Protection Policy, DSIT
Owen Rowland is the Deputy Director, Head of Data Protection Policy in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). His key responsibilities include:
- Passage and implementation of the Data (Use and Access) Bill;
- Further development of UK data protection policy; and
- Sponsorship of the Information Commissioner’s Office.
Previously, in the Strategic Centre for Organised Crime in the Home Office, he was responsible for Economic and Cyber Crime.
Owen’s other roles over 30 years within Whitehall and the European Commission were comprised of a range of crime, policing and national security posts, including:
- Led Design of the National Crime Agency;
- Head of Drug Strategy;
- Secretary to the Chilcot Review of Use of Intercept Material as Evidence;
- Established the first UK civil Counter-Terrorism Science and Innovation Programme; and
- Led European Commission accession negotiations on Justice and Home Affairs with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
-
Samuel Smyth Murray
Principal Policy Advisor - Data Protection, Legislative Reform Team, ICO
-
Oliver Stanley
Smart Data Legislation Lead, Consumer and Competition Policy, DBT
Oliver Stanley is the Smart Data Legislation Lead at the Department for Business and Trade, where he has been leading efforts to advance Smart Data since April 2022 through legislative and non-legislative means. In this role, Oliver focuses on developing and implementing legislative frameworks that empower businesses and consumers to harness the potential of increased data portability. Before joining DBT, Oliver honed his expertise in data policy at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). There, he contributed to a range of smaller data projects and played a key role in delivering the Kickstart Scheme, a landmark programme supporting young people into employment during challenging economic times.
-
Devon Troup
Head of Legislation, Digital Verification Services, Office for Digital Identities and Attributes, DSIT
Devon Troup leads on Digital Verification Service measures in the Data Bill, focussed on enabling digital identity use across the UK economy. Devon joined the civil service 5 years ago, and has spent most of her time at DSIT transforming digital identity policy from broad government commitments into Part 2 of the Data Bill.
-
Stewart Dresner
Chief Executive, Privacy Laws & Business
Stewart graduated from the University of Lancaster in Politics and Marketing. In 1975 Stewart initiated research on Open Government at the UK Consumers’ Association. He then made an independent trip to the USA and Canada, meeting consumer advocates, politicians and journalists researching Freedom of Information (FoI) and privacy legislation. He had articles published in The Geographical Magazine, in 1977 on the use of the FoI Act by the Navajo Tribe of Arizona, and The Times in 1978 on the use of the FoI Act to improve car safety. In May 1980, the Outer Circle Policy Unit published his Open Government: Lessons from America. His career included consumer research and working for The Economist as a business journalist where he wrote occasionally on privacy laws and honed his skills as an investigator and writer.
He launched the Privacy Laws & Business Newsletter in February 1987. In October 1988 he organised PL&B’s first international conference. Stewart co-founded and chaired the UK’s Data Protection Forum, and has spoken at conferences around the world. He lives and works in Pinner, has a beautiful wife, who wrote this, and 3 adult sons.