28 Sep 2021

Watch now: A new era of UK data governance - what are the opportunities and challenges ahead

Watch the #techUKtalks session on A new era of UK data governance from London Tech Week below.

This year at London Tech Week, techUK returned with its online series #techUKTalks, a series of conversations with UK tech leaders exploring the key digital technologies that are transformational for the UK economy.

This session explored A new era of UK data governance - what are the opportunities and challenges ahead?

Speakers Included:

Richard Cumbley, TMT Partner and Global Head of TMT, Linklaters
Clinton Hook, Director Data Governance, Experian
Chaired by Sue Daley, Director tech & innovation, techUK

Watch now:

Following the granting of data adequacy by the EU, the publication of the UK’s National Data Strategy and the upcoming appointment of a new Information Commissioner, ahead is a potential new, yet undefined, era for data governance in the UK. So, what could this future hold and where are the opportunities for the UK to position itself as a global pioneer in achieving a data governance system underpinned by solid principles and able to flex and evolve to maintain trust as new technologies emerge.  Given the importance of data protection and privacy laws to building public trust and confidence, as well as the ongoing global debates over data governance, what are the challenges ahead that industry, government and all of us need to consider as this new era evolves.

As the UK begins to consider what a post Brexit future of data governance could and should look like, this techUK Talks session at London Tech Week will hear from leading data experts on what they see as important to get right and what could be the pitfalls ahead where the UK cannot afford to get this wrong.

Elis Thomas

Programme Manager, Tech and Innovation, techUK

Elis joined techUK in December 2023 as a Programme Manager for Tech and Innovation, focusing on Semiconductors and Digital ID.

He previously worked at an advocacy group for tech startups, with a regional focus on Wales. This involved policy research on innovation, skills and access to finance.

Elis has a Degree in History, and a Masters in Politics and International Relations from the University of Winchester, with a focus on the digitalisation and gamification of armed conflicts.

Email:: [email protected]
Website:: www.techuk.org/
LinkedIn:: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elis-thomas-49a1aa1a1/

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Laura Foster

Associate Director - Technology and Innovation, techUK

Laura is techUK’s Associate Director for Technology and Innovation.

Laura advocates for better emerging technology policy in the UK, including quantum, future of compute technologies, semiconductors, digital ID and more. Working alongside techUK members and UK Government she champions long-term, cohesive, and sustainable investment that will ensure the UK can commercialise future science and technology research. Laura leads a high-performing team at techUK, as well as publishing several reports on these topics herself, and being a regular speaker at events.

Before joining techUK, Laura worked internationally as a conference researcher and producer exploring adoption of emerging technologies. This included being part of the team at London Tech Week.

Laura has a degree in History (BA Hons) from Durham University and is a Cambridge Policy Fellow. Outside of work she loves reading, writing and supporting rugby team St. Helens, where she is from.

Email:: [email protected]
LinkedIn:: www.linkedin.com/in/lauraalicefoster

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Sue Daley OBE

Director, Technology and Innovation

Sue leads techUK's Technology and Innovation work. This includes work programmes on AI, Cloud, Data, Quantum, Semiconductors, Digital ID and Digital ethics as well as emerging and transformative technologies and innovation policy. In 2025, Sue was honoured with an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the Technology Industry in the New Year Honours List. She has also been recognised as one of the most influential people in UK tech by Computer Weekly's UKtech50 Longlist and was inducted into the Computer Weekly Most Influential Women in UK Tech Hall of Fame.

A key influencer in driving forward the tech agenda in the UK, in December 2025 Sue was appointed to the UK Government’s Women in Tech Taskforce by the Technology Secretary of State. She also sits on the UK Government’s Smart Data Council, Satellite Applications Catapult Advisory Group, Bank of England’s AI Consortium and BSI’s Digital Strategic Advisory Group. Previously, Sue was a member of the Independent Future of Compute Review and co-chaired the National Data Strategy Forum. As well as being recognised in the UK's Big Data 100 and the Global Top 100 Data Visionaries in 2020, Sue has been shortlisted for the Milton Keynes Women Leaders Awards and has been a judge for the Loebner Prize in AI, the UK Tech 50 and annual UK Cloud Awards. She is a regular industry speaker on issues including AI ethics, data protection and cyber security.

Prior to joining techUK in January 2015, Sue was responsible for Symantec's Government Relations in the UK and Ireland. Before that, Sue was senior policy advisor at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Sue has an BA degree on History and American Studies from Leeds University and a Master’s Degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Birmingham. Sue is a keen sportswoman and in 2016 achieved a lifelong ambition to swim the English Channel.