Profile

What is your profession?

I am a consultant and trainer in data protection, information security and related issues. Quite a bit of my work involves delivering CPD for solicitors, including sessions for the Society’s Update Department.

What motivates you to get up on a Monday morning?

My biggest motivation is the wet nose of my German shepherd in my face at 5.50, demanding action! After walking the dogs and having breakfast I head for the office. The best days are those when I can find an audience to stand in front of. The interesting challenge in working in data protection is that, although more and more people are worried about their own personal data, remarkably few organisations want to think about it.

How long have you been a member of the Privacy Law Subcommittee, and why did you become involved?

The subcommittee was re-established early this year. I volunteered to be a member and the convener and was successful in both. Privacy is such a fast-moving area at the moment, both from a technical and a legal viewpoint. Cloud computing and the internet are presenting huge issues in terms of privacy, identity theft, cybercrime and, of course, the EU is agonising over its proposed new General Data Protection Regulation. The range of new legislation which has privacy implications is enormous and it is exciting to be able to have some input into this.

Did you have any prior knowledge of or involvement with the Society before?

For a while I have been delivering seminars and conference talks for the Update Department. I have also been along to some of the Society’s networking events.

What have been the highlights for you personally?

For me the biggest highlight of the committee so far is the diversity of the members. We have many different viewpoints and areas of knowledge, making meetings extremely interesting and informative. We certainly start off with disagreements and then we work at reaching a consensus.

What do you see as the main issues that the profession has to address at present?

The rate at which small to medium firms are disappearing. Many clients are most comfortable dealing with firms of this size.

What keeps you busy outside of work?

Family life with my wife and dogs. Hillwalking when I can. Reading the latest updates on data protection and information security.