Tech Policy Expertise: Data privacy/protection

  • Helen Sithole

    Helen Sithole, the Legal and ICT Policy Officer for MISA Zimbabwe, is a dedicated legal professional with extensive experience in policy research, tech law, and information rights. Having recently completed a Master’s degree in Intellectual Property & Technology Law, she brings solidified expertise in emerging areas such as AI governance, data privacy, and digital ethics. Her background positions her as a crucial voice in shaping the future of responsible technological advancement, particularly concerning digital human rights and the intersection of technology with societal well-being. She is particularly passionate about translating complex legal concepts into accessible policy recommendations that foster innovation while safeguarding individual liberties in the digital realm.

  • Heather Xiao

    I’m the Founder & CEO of Horizon Zero, a research and advisory partner helping UK and international policymakers, businesses, and entrepreneurs strategise and connect across the Open Banking, Open Finance, and Smart Data ecosystems. We support the creation of customer outcome – focused products, partnerships, and infrastructure.

    Previously, I served as Product & Operations Director at Open Banking Limited (OBL) and was a member of its Executive Committee. I led OBL’s product management, trust framework, participant support, and business development. I also represented OBL in the UK Open Banking Future Entity Working Group in 2023, contributing to the next phase of the UK’s open banking strategy, contributed to Smart Data Council, and chaired the UK Open Banking Participants Forum.

    I’m passionate about enabling secure, scalable, cross-sector data sharing to transform personal and business lives. Over the past decade, I’ve led open data initiatives in financial services, aviation, and consulting, building ecosystems across jurisdictions and regulatory environments. Earlier in my career, I helped global organisations define digital strategy, architect data ecosystems, and design operating models to drive transformation at scale.

    At Horizon Zero, we’re currently developing a Smart Data Research Framework to help ecosystem stakeholders shape infrastructure and services that create value for customers and unlock new business models. Our recent work GlowTrack, a cross-sector prototype identifying heating vulnerability, was named a finalist in the DBT Smart Data Challenge Prize 2025.

    Alongside my executive work, I advise policymakers and boards on translating open data sharing ethics, trust and inclusion into real-world infrastructure. I’m also an Honorary Research Fellow at Warwick Business School and a proud member of the Cranfield 100 Women to Watch, well positioned for non-executive roles and board appointments, including FTSE 350 companies.

  • Gaia Marcus

    Gaia Marcus is Director of the Ada Lovelace Institute. Prior to joining Ada, Gaia was Deputy Director (Advanced Analytics and Local Capabilities) at the Spatial Data Unit within the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). In this role, she led on ensuring that data and data-driven analysis were used to support policymaking and service delivery.

    Gaia has extensive experience of leadership roles across the civil service and the non-profit sector. In government she has held roles as Deputy Director (Strategy for the Integrated Data Service) at the Office for National Statistics, Head of Engagement for Civil Service Reform at the Cabinet Office, and Head of National Data Strategy at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

    In the non-profit sector, Gaia specialised in data strategy and participatory approaches to research, innovation and policy. This included roles at Parkinson’s UK, Centrepoint and the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. She also serves on the Samaritans’ Board of Trustees.

  • Felicia Anthonio

    Felicia Anthonio is GlobalCampaign Manager – #KeepItOn at Access Now, an organisation which campaigns to promote digital rights and freedom of expression. The #KeepItOn Campaign is global campaign of over 345 organizations that fights against internet shutdowns. Felicia leads the coalition strategic advocacy and campaigns to mobilize and engage various stakeholders to end internet censorship around the globe. Felicia has authored and co-authored several publications on internet shutdowns and hosted the Kill Switch Podcast. Felicia is also an Advisory Council member of the US-based Open Technology Fund (OTF) and a board member of the World Expression Forum (WEXFO), in Norway.

  • Doris Li

    Doris is a technology policy leader with experience shaping regulatory approaches to emerging technologies and designing frameworks that center safety and accessibility. She is currently a Tech Policy Manager at Ofcom, where she leads projects and programs for regulating generative AI under the Online Safety Act. Prior to Ofcom, she spent several years at Meta as a Senior Product & Regulatory Operations Specialist, where she managed a global safety program to combat the abuse of content moderation systems. As Meta’s Inclusive Product Council Member, she evaluated company priority products against safety and accessibility standards to provide guidance for research, engineering, and product teams innovating in AI and the Metaverse.

    In addition to her day-to-day work, Doris is an Inclusion Advisor to Open Data Institute’s Solid Initiative, an open-source project which reimagines data use and sharing, and regularly volunteers with organisations promoting diversity in tech spaces, including Women in Data. She is passionate about bridging policy, product, and community engagement to amplify historically underrepresented voices in the development and governance of data-driven technologies.

  • Dani Dhiman

    Dani joined Formation Advisory in 2024, bringing a deep expertise in tech policy and digital regulation. Over her career, she has advised tech companies, startups, regulators, and policymakers around the world on emerging digital regulation issues at the forefront of technological innovation. Dani has held a range of policy, research and technical roles at organisations such as the UK’s largest tech trade body, techUK, Vodafone Group, Digital Catapult, and Starling Bank. Dani currently serves on the AI Futures Council for the generative AI startup, Synthesia.

  • Beth Curtis-Clarke

    Beth brings 20 years of experience at the intersection of Customer Experience, data-led storytelling, and artificial intelligence. Known for her ability to make the complex simple, Beth has earned a solid reputation for translating cutting-edge technology into meaningful business outcomes.
    Simply put, Beth is passionate about using AI to solve real life problems.
    Her career spans Enterprise Retail, SaaS technology, and AI for Good—with a particular focus on environmental and healthcare innovation. She’s led ambitious change programmes across some of the most challenging industries, consistently turning big ideas into tangible, measurable results. No tech theatre—just AI that delivers value.
    Beth works to uncover smarter, more scalable ways of working. Her mix of strategic insight, customer-centric thinking, and coaching makes her a driving force behind impactful, human-focused transformation.

  • Ashly Jiju

    Ashly Jiju is a researcher and policy professional specialising in geopolitics and technology policy, with a focus on artificial intelligence and data protection. Drawing on experience across the UK, UAE, India, and Nepal, she bridges academic research, stakeholder engagement, and strategy consulting to thoughtfully address the complexities of technological change.

    She holds an MPhil in Politics and International Studies from the University of Cambridge, where her research focused on how AI and big data reshape privacy, security, and global governance. She also holds a BA (Hons.) in Political Science with Economics from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi. She is dedicated to advancing innovation that benefits society through thoughtful and ethical governance.

    Ashly has played a key role in advancing high-impact initiatives addressing complex challenges in technology and governance. She has engaged with governments, companies, NGOs, and international bodies to craft strategies, lead research, and drive policy development. Her work includes contributing to multiple books and policy reports, advising a rapidly expanding digital media startup, and leading large-scale fundraising efforts for projects focused on digital inclusion and worker support. She has led sizeable, cross-functional teams and designed digital safety programmes that have empowered thousands to engage confidently and safely in digital spaces.

  • Amy Church

    Amy Church is Head of Information Security at Ticketer and Partner at Oxford Infosec, a boutique consultancy supporting SMEs and start-ups with ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 42001, GDPR, and PCI DSS compliance. She is ISO/IEC 42001 Lead Implementer and Lead Auditor qualified, with deep expertise in information security, AI governance, and policy development.
    Amy specialises in turning complex standards into clear, practical policies that empower organisations to innovate safely and responsibly. She also leads Cyber Dave, a child-friendly AI safety initiative helping children, parents and educators build digital resilience and confidence with AI.

  • Alina Timofeeva

    Alina Timofeeva is a globally recognised leader in AI, Data, and Digital Transformation, with a proven track record of driving large-scale change across public and private sectors in the UK, Europe, and the Middle East. She has held senior roles at Oliver Wyman, KPMG, and Accenture, advising global institutions and working closely with Boards, CIOs, and CROs to align technology with regulatory and strategic priorities.

    As an Influence Board Member of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, Alina actively shapes national tech policy. Her passion lies in empowering the next generation—particularly women and individuals from underrepresented or underprivileged backgrounds—to discover the power and beauty of data and technology, believe in themselves, be seen and heard, and realise their full potential. In doing so, she helps unlock wider contributions to the economy, society, and communities.

    A LinkedIn Top Voice and a regular speaker at Davos, London Tech Week, and other leading forums, Alina is also a State Guest and trusted media commentator. She has received eight national awards, including Digital Leader of the Year and Most Inspirational Person of the Year.

    Alina is reshaping global narratives around technology by placing ethics and human impact at the centre. Her mission: to inspire 50 million people through technology, resilience, and opportunity.