About Us

The Data Protection Forum is an association of over 250 members from more than 120 public and private sector companies and organisations. These encompass financial services, retail, law, accountancy, consultancy, marketing, travel and insurance from the private sector, as well as charities and public sector organisations such as the police, local authorities, central government, health and universities.

The Forum was formed to provide a focus for the exchange, analysis and communication of information on all matters relating to the protection of personal information and compliance with Data Protection and Freedom of Information Law.

Members have the opportunity to take part in discussion of current Data Protection and Freedom of Information related issues and the Forum provides invaluable cross-sector networking opportunities. The Forum encourages cooperation between organisations in all sectors, and aims to complement the efforts of existing sector specific associations to provide a strong unified voice for professionals in this dynamic environment.

The Data Protection Forum provides a focus for all sectors on the exchange, analysis and communication of information on Data Protection and Freedom of Information law.

Bringing together professionals in the private and public sectors to discuss data protection, EU General Data Protection regulation and related topics

The Data Protection Forum provides a focus for the collection, formulation, exchange and communication of ideas and information on data protection, EU General Data Protection regulation and related topics. The Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA) is the law which regulates the collection and use of personal information. The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FoIA) is the law which regulates access to public sector information. These, and other laws and regulations which interface with the Acts, are explored and discussed at the Forum's regular quarterly meetings

Public and private sector bodies and their representative associations in many sectors have tackled data protection issues for themselves. The role of the Data Protection Forum is to share ideas and solutions based on the idea that co-operation between organisations in all areas would be advantageous. The Forum complements and assists the work of existing associations and those working in data protection by providing a forum for dialogue and mutual assistance

Benefits

The Data Protection Forum represents remarkable value offering:

• Four meetings a year with at least three speakers at each meeting
  
• Full access to information and resources on the Forum's website;
  
• Data protection and FOI information and briefings on the working of the legislation;
  
• Networking with colleagues in other sectors, helped by the list of members' contact details;
  
• An opportunity to influence data protection policy-making at all levels;
  
• Awareness of future developments and trends;
  
• Development of mutual understanding between data subjects and data users;
• networking with colleagues in other sectors, helped by the list of members' contact details;
  

Meetings

We hold quarterly meetings virtually (via ZOOM) & in-person, usually on the first Tuesday in March, June, September and December.

Each meeting generally includes three or four guest speakers on matters of direct relevance to members' work. These speakers are drawn from the public and private sectors, from government and from the regulatory bodies such as the Information Commissioner's Office, the European Commission and regulators from beyond the UK who are responsible for promoting compliance and enforcing legislation of interest to members.

Membership

Forum members represent a cross section of those involved with data protection and EU General Data Protection Regulation. Private sector members come from financial services, retail, law, accountancy, consultancy, marketing, travel, insurance, charity etc. Public sector members come from the police, local authorities, central government, health, universities and other parts of the public sector.

Membership fees

The subscription year runs from April to March. Members may register up to five representatives from their company. An annual membership fee is payable in respect of each representative. Members may send substitute representatives to meetings.  Members may, also bring additional guests to meetings subject to an additional fee.

New members or additional representatives joining in the second half of the year, i.e. after the September meeting, only pay one half of the annual fee. Full details are in the joining instructions.

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