About me

I am an expert in all things data, from technology, to governance, strategy, and public policy.

I am the founder and Executive Director of Connected by data, an initiative that aims to put community at the heart of data narratives, practices and policies. Through that initiative, I challenge the language of data ownership and question the role of individual consent, arguing that when data is processed in aggregate, it should be governed collectively. I undertake this work as a Shuttleworth Foundation Fellow and an Associated Researcher at the Bennett Institute for Public Policy, examining the practice and public policy behind data governance.

I am also the co-chair of the Data Governance Working Group at the Global Partnership on AI, which is carrying out applied research to explore data trusts, data justice and technologies that enhance privacy, justice or rights.

I was CEO at the Open Data Institute, where I held leadership roles for nine years and worked with companies and governments to build an open, trustworthy data ecosystem. Before joining ODI, I worked as an independent consultant, specialising in open data publishing and consumption. I was the technical architect and lead developer behind legislation.gov.uk and worked on the initial development of data.gov.uk. I have a long-standing interest in open and web standards, served on the W3C's Technical Architecture Group and co-chaired the W3C’s CSV on the Web Working Group.

I sit on the Boards of Creative Commons, the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data and the Information Law and Policy Centre. I have a PhD in AI and an OBE for services to technology and open data. I love Lego and board games and am the proud co-creator of the open data board game, Datopolis.