The following persons, all experts in their fields, will be speaking and taking questions at the Data Protection in the Public Sector Conference.

Delegates will have an opportunity to network with speakers and delegates during the lunch break, coffee breaks and at the Wine & Canapés Reception.

Presentation description:  Alison Wellens discusses the view from the Information Commissioner’s Office on the key data protection challenges ahead for information professionals in the Public Sector, including security issues and information sharing.

Biography:  Alison Wellens is Head of the Data Protection Practice Public Sector Team at the Information Commissioner’s Office.  Her role involves working with, and advising, public sector organisations on Data Protection considerations in current or developing operational and policy practices.  Previously, she worked at the Security Industry Authority as a Development Manager leading work in relation to licensing Private Investigators, Security Consultants, and developing better regulation approaches.  Prior to that, she was a Policy Manager at the Legal Services Commission working with not-for-profit organisations.

Presentation description:  The Prime Minister has indicated that the Commissioner must have more enforcement powers.  This session examines the Information Commissioner’s existing powers and discusses the changes we are likely to see in the coming months.  Public Authorities must be aware of how those changes may affect their data handling practices.

Biography:  Bridget Treacy leads the UK Privacy, Information Management and Outsourcing practice at international law firm Hunton & Williams.  She has considerable expertise in advising both the public and private sector on domestic and international Data Protection issues.  Bridget has particular experience of advising clients on dealing with the implications of data breaches.  Bridget’s public sector experience includes drafting and negotiating Data Protection provisions in public sector contracts, advising on subject access and FOI requests and devising Data Protection training programmes.  Bridget is a member of the editorial board of Privacy & Data Protection journal.

Presentation description:  The ICO has launched the Privacy Impact Assessment Handbook which gives guidance on developing and implementing new systems.  This session looks at a number of typical development projects and reviews how the guidance applies in practical terms.  Rosemary also considers how the new guidance requires data controllers to change their current practices.

Biography:  Rosemary Jay is a Partner at Pinsent Masons.  She advises clients on privacy, Data Protection, Human Rights and access to information.  Prior to joining the firm, Rosemary worked at the Office of the Data Protection Registrar, where she headed the Legal Department for 12 years.  Rosemary is the author of Data Protection Law and Practice ( Sweet and Maxwell ), and is a member of the editorial board of Freedom of Information journal.

Presentation description:  The Information Commissioner’s Office issued new guidance on the meaning of ‘personal data’ in late 2007.  New guidance on structured manual filing systems is expected imminently.  Whilst Public Authority data are always caught by the DPA regardless of how they are structured, this new guidance impacts Public Authorities in their relations with commercial organisations.  This session uses a case study to explore these issues.

Biography:  Nick Graham is a Partner in the TMT Group at Denton Wilde Sapte and is head of the firm’s Information and Privacy Group.  Nick specialises in Data Protection, Freedom of Information and privacy laws.  Nick has acted for many public sector bodies including government departments, agencies and other public bodies on internal compliance procedures and the management of data risk including data security.  Nick also specialises in IT, e-commerce and major technology transactions including PFI / PPP.  He was formerly in-house Counsel with Royal & Sun Alliance Group.

Presentation description:   It is clear that data professionals need to know what data their organisations hold and the areas of high risk for data breaches.  Steve Kenny gives practical guidance on proactively identifying and managing data protection risks.

Biography:  Steve Kenny is European Privacy and Information Governance Service Leader with KPMG in the UK.  He was previously appointed to the European Commission to advise all EU Member State Data Protection Commissioners.  He has also worked for the Data Protection Authority in the Netherlands.  Steve previously worked in science at several renowned research institutions, authoring many privacy articles as well as consulting globally to blue chip organisations as well as the Dutch and Canadian governments on privacy related issues.

Presentation description:   Benet Brandreth discusses the latest decisions from the Information Commissioner and the Information Tribunal affecting the interaction between the Freedom of Information Act, the Data Protection Act and the Environmental Information Regulations.

Biography:  Benet Brandreth is a specialist Intellectual Property Barrister who advises both private and government clients on Data Protection and Freedom of Information issues.  He has been involved in cases ranging from requests for access to intelligence services files to use of patient data for pharmaceutical reviews.  Benet is a member of the Treasury Counsel panel of barristers.

Presentation description:   One of the most significant challenges of managing data is to ensure that everyone in the organisation complies with the procedures. James Leaton Gray discusses how the BBC has shifted from a reactive model to a proactive model, and the benefits of having other people in the organisation be ‘responsible’ for data protection.

Biography:  James Leaton Gray heads the BBC’s Information Policy and Compliance Department, in the Legal section of the BBC’s Operations Group.  He oversees the operation of the Corporation’s systems for compliance with the Data Protection and Freedom of Information Acts, amongst others.  His team are involved in many high profile cases in this rapidly evolving area of the law.

Special Panel Discussion - Data sharing: key issues

Hazel’s session will be followed by a panel discussion with speakers from both government and commercial data sharers:

Presentation description:   This session covers key issues in data sharing with both government bodies and commercial entities, including having the power to share, data protection compliance, and dealing with confidential information.  Hazel discusses different types of sharing: ad hoc disclosure through criminal investigations, fulfilling government policy through exchanging with other government bodies and commercial exploitation through contracts with commercial entities.

Biography:  Hazel Grant is a Partner in Bird & Bird’s Commercial Practice, specialising in information technology projects and information law issues.  She advises public and private sector clients on Data Protection, Freedom of Information and Environmental Information legislation, including practical advice on how best to draft contracts and the risks and opportunities under the legislation, including data exploitation projects.  Hazel is an author of the loose-leaf work, the Encyclopedia of Data Protection and Privacy, a contributing editor (on Data Protection and Freedom of Information) to the Encyclopedia of Information Technology Law ( both published by Sweet & Maxwell ) and is on the editorial board of the Freedom of Information journal.

He managed subject access requests and FOIA procedure for a Belfast health trust before joining the Information Commissioner’s Office Northern Ireland in 2004 as Operations and Policy Manager.

In January 2007 he went on a secondment to the European Data Protection Supervisor, returning to work full time at the ICO in Wilmslow as Head of Data Protection Promotion in December 2007.

He has extensive experience in service delivery, sales and marketing, programme and change management.

Biography:  Marcus Turle is a Partner at Field Fisher Waterhouse and is one of the founder members of the firm’s Privacy and Information Law Group.  He specialises in all aspects of the legal regulation of information, including Freedom of Information and Data Protection.  Marcus is the Editor of Freedom of Information journal and author of Sweet & Maxwell’s Freedom of Information Manual.  He also co-authored (with Peter Carey) the Law Society’s Freedom of Information Handbook.

Detailed information regarding Workshops and Workshop Leader Biographies.