September 23, 2026DataGuard Empowering Privacy 2026 - London

Empowering Privacy London 2026, hosted by DataGuard in partnership with Google, brings together regulators, industry experts, and technology leaders to explore how organizations align AI innovation, privacy, and compliance in practice.
From emerging AI regulation to evolving compliance requirements, the lines between security, privacy, and compliance are converging. Organizations need connected strategies that enable innovation while building trust.
Join us at the Google offices in London on 23 September to gain practical insights, exchange ideas with peers, and explore how leading organizations are building integrated approaches to responsible innovation.

In collaboration with

Who should attend & what you’ll gain

Built for privacy, security, risk, and compliance leaders. Hear from regulators and practioners on AI and privacy, learn from industry experts, explore real-world examples, and connect with peers.

Our speakers

Kristie Chon Flynn

Google Data Protection Officer, Privacy, Safety, Security Engineering

Google

Graham Doyle

Deputy Commissioner and Head of Media and Communications, Transparency, DPO Network and Stakeholder

The Data Protection Commission Ireland

Emily Gooday

Governance, Risk and Operations Director

Genistar

Robert Grosvenor

Managing Partner

Hunter, Bright & Headman LLP

Gilbert Hill

Privacy Technologist & Managing Director

PrivTech Ltd

Dean Hogarth

Privacy & Data Protection Director

OCU Group

Jas Johal

Partner, Privacy, AI and Data Compliance

Hunter, Bright & Headman LLP

Paul Jordan

Managing Director

CEDPO

Emily Keaney

Deputy Commissioner Regulatory Policy

Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

David Lewis

Director, Privacy Advisory EMEA

Google

Emma Martins

Chief Commissioner

The Data and Marketing Commission

Janine McKelvey

Co-Founder

Woman in Law & Data

Rebecca Oldham

Performance and Infrastructure Manager / Employee Director

Cheshire West Recycling

Caroline Orie

Senior Principal Legal and Compliance

DataGuard

Shoshana Rosenberg

Partner and Practice Lead for AI, Privacy and Security

OlenderFeldman LLP

Kivanc Semen

Co-Founder & Co-CEO

DataGuard

Dominic Smith

Group Manager

Information Commissioner’s Office

Liz Smith

Senior Consultant Privacy

DataGuard

Patrick Sullivan

Vice President of Innovation and Strategy

A-Lign

Graham Thomas

Advisory Board Member

Piccaso

Konstantin Tiazhelnikov

Senior Privacy Consultant

DataGuard

Christina Tueje

Strategy Director & CIO: AI, Data and Technology

GRC Information Management

Monisha Varadan

Senior Privacy Engineer, DPO Office

Google

Agenda

09:30 - 10:15 BST

Networking

Registration & Welcome Coffee

Start the day with some coffee & tea and networking with peers.

10:15 - 10:30 BST

Opening

Welcome & Opening Session

10:35 - 11:05 BST

Fireside chat

Privacy 2027: Navigating the UK's Next Chapter

Start the morning with an expert discussion on the trends, reforms, and priorities shaping the future of privacy in the UK.

Emily Keaney, Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

Liz Smith, DataGuard

11:05 - 11:40 BST

Discussion panel

Beyond the Silos: Who Owns Trust?

Explore how Privacy, Legal, Risk, Product, and Security teams can work together to build trust and navigate evolving regulatory and AI governance requirements.

Dean Hogarth, OCU Group

Emma Martins, The Data and Marketing Commission

Janine McKelvey, Woman in Law & Data

Caroline Orie, DataGuard

Patrick Sullivan, A-Lign

11:45 - 12:10 BST

Networking

Coffee Break

12:10 - 13:00 BST

Discussion panel

Data Protection Leadership: From Compliance Function to Strategic Function

Discover how privacy leaders are elevating their role from compliance oversight to strategic business partner, driving value, influencing decisions, and building mature privacy programmes.

Emily Gooday, Genistar

Robert Grosvenor, Hunter, Bright & Headman LLP

Rebecca Oldham, Cheshire West Recycling

Konstantin Tiazhelnikov, DataGuard

13:00 - 14:00 BST

Networking

Networking lunch

Enjoy lunch while continuing conversations and building valuable connections.

14:00 - 14:40 BST

Fireside chat

Lessons from Google's DPO

Join us for a candid conversation on how privacy leaders can shape decision-making, build trust, and create lasting business impact

Kristie Chon Flynn, Google

Kivanc Semen, DataGuard

14:45 - 15:15 BST

Best Practices

SAR Wars - A New Hope

Explore the real-world challenges, common pitfalls, and practical approaches to handling Data Subject Access Requests effectively.

Dominic Smith, Information Commissioner’s Office

15:15 - 15:45 BST

Networking

Afternoon Tea Break

Recharge with refreshments and connect with speakers and peers.

15:45 - 16:00 BST

The AI Wave: What Privacy Teams Need to Understand (and Why You Shouldn't Panic)

AI is arriving across every organisation, and privacy teams are increasingly expected to provide guidance. This dynamic 15-minute session cuts through the hype and explains what DPOs need to understand about AI, governance, risk, data classification, access controls, and organisational readiness so privacy teams can add value without becoming a blocker to innovation.

Gilbert Hill, PrivTech Ltd

16:00 - 16:15 BST

The Evolving DPO: Leading Through AI Risk and Governance

AI is changing the role of the DPO. This session explores how privacy leaders can navigate emerging AI risks, influence governance decisions and enable responsible innovation through practical, real-world examples.

Christina Tueje, GRC Information Management

16:15 - 16:30 BST

Best Practices

The Business Wants to Build Agentic AI. What Should We Be Thinking About?

Graham Thomas, Piccaso

16:30 - 17:10 BST

Discussion panel

Whats new in the EU and why UK organisations should care

Explore the latest EU regulatory developments and what they could mean for UK organisations, from emerging obligations and compliance expectations to strategic risks and opportunities.

Graham Doyle, The Data Protection Commission Ireland

Paul Jordan, CEDPO

David Lewis, Google

Shoshana Rosenberg, OlenderFeldman LLP

17:15 - 17:30 BST

Closing

Final Remarks

17:30 - 18:30 BST

Networking

Drinks & Networking

Unwind and continue the conversation with a drinks reception.

Connect & collaborate

Immerse yourself in a collaborative environment where industry professionals come together to share experiences, exchange ideas, and forge connections. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting, this event offers a unique platform to enhance your knowledge and broaden your network.

Secure your free spot

Spaces are limited, so don't miss out!

All presentations and discussions will be held in English.

23 September 2026, 09:30 – 17:30 BST

Google Offices - London4-5 Bonhill Street, ShoreditchLondonEC2A 4BX

This event is currently at full capacity.

We’re thrilled by the overwhelming interest! Unfortunately we are at full capacity and registration on site is not possible. In case we re-open the registration we will communicate it via our Linkedin profile. Stay tuned!