Data protection officer training

Dr Rena Gertz completed her law degree in Germany before moving to Scotland for a Masters Degree and PhD in law, followed by a research fellowship at Edinburgh University. Leaving academia, she worked in local government for 7 years as DP and FOI Compliance Officer, while still maintaining her relationship with Edinburgh University, lecturing on several Masters Degree programmes. In May 2017 she returned fully to Edinburgh University by taking up the role of Data Protection Officer.

Sorcha Lorimer is the CEO of Trace®, innovative RegTech software which makes GDPR compliance and data protection bitesized, visual and streamlined. Trace's platform helps organisations model personal data, assess their third party cloud processors, and mitigate privacy and legal risk.

A qualified privacy and risk professional and trainer, before founding Trace®, Sorcha was Group Head of Digital at Standard Life and has worked in digital and data for well over a decade, including agency and consultancy side. Sorcha is passionate about making complex subjects accessible, humanising data protection, and building intuitive, secure software.

Stephen Grant is an Associate at Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP and regularly advises businesses from all sectors and of all sizes on data protection matters. He regularly speaks and writes for major publications on the topic. Coming from a Computer Science background Stephen understands the practical implications that businesses may have when trying to implement a data protection infrastructure within a business.

Laura is Head of the Regulatory Team at Davidson Chalmers Stewart LLP, a Criminal Solicitor Advocate and Accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a Specialist in Freedom of Information and Data Protection Law.

Her ‘claim to fame’ is that she was part of the only legal team in the UK to have successfully overturned a data breach fine imposed by the ICO under the Data Protection Act 1998 – so far! She wrote the Law Society of Scotland’s Guide to the GDPR and is a co-founder of PODs (Protectors of Data Scotland) the pre-eminent group of data protection enthusiasts in Scotland.

She works with clients across sectors providing contentious and non-contentious data protection advice. She also advises on cyber security matters, working collaboratively with most, if not all of the cyber security firms in Scotland.

She is a board member of the Scottish Business Resilience Centre which works with Government, Police and other public sector bodies to assist the private sector in Scotland to remain resilient.  

Maureen Falconer joined the ICO in 2007, and is currently Regional Manager for the ICO’s Scotland Office. Maureen works with a variety of organisations, providing awareness-raising events, advice and guidance in all things data protection. Maureen regularly represents the ICO on development/steering groups, providing advice and guidance at the early stages of public sector initiatives. As well as the day-to-day management of the office and the Scotland Team, Maureen has a particular interest in matters relating to the NHS, Education and Social Work.

Prior to joining the ICO, Maureen worked in the Scottish Parliament as parliamentary researcher for Dennis Canavan MSP until his retirement in 2007. Coming from an academic background, Maureen lectured and researched in public administration with specific interests in health and education.

Rebecca is a Senior Solicitor in Burness Paull’s dispute resolution division, working in the firm’s contentious IP and Technology and Media teams.

She works closely with contentious IP and Technology practice head Colin Hulme and advises on a wide variety of IP and IT disputes concerning patents, trade marks, copyright, software, design rights and confidential information.  Rebecca regularly acts for clients in the Court of Session.

Rebecca also advises on all aspects of contentious media law, including defamation, reputation management and privacy.

Laura is Head of the Regulatory Team at Davidson Chalmers Stewart LLP, a Criminal Solicitor Advocate and Accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a Specialist in Freedom of Information and Data Protection Law.

Her ‘claim to fame’ is that she was part of the only legal team in the UK to have successfully overturned a data breach fine imposed by the ICO under the Data Protection Act 1998 – so far! She wrote the Law Society of Scotland’s Guide to the GDPR and is a co-founder of PODs (Protectors of Data Scotland) the pre-eminent group of data protection enthusiasts in Scotland.

She works with clients across sectors providing contentious and non-contentious data protection advice. She also advises on cyber security matters, working collaboratively with most, if not all of the cyber security firms in Scotland.

She is a board member of the Scottish Business Resilience Centre which works with Government, Police and other public sector bodies to assist the private sector in Scotland to remain resilient.