30 Sep 2025
by Sabina Ciofu

techUK annual delegation to Washington, D.C.


Last week, techUK led a delegation of senior UK technology leaders to Washington, D.C. for a packed programme of meetings, conversations, and events. Over three days, the group met with policymakers, industry leaders, and think tank experts to deepen collaboration under the UK-US Tech Prosperity Partnership and explore the next steps in digital trade.

The group was led by Sabina Ciofu, techUK’s International Policy and Strategy Lead, and included:

  • Chantelle de Villiers (Sage)
  • Vic Polkowski (Research Innovations)
  • Alex Case (Pegasystems Limited)
  • Rahul Tyagi (SECQAI)
  • Bill Cameron (NCC Group)
  • Katie Frank (Lenovo)
  • Hussain Altamimi (Zoominfo)
  • Jonathan Edgeworth & Omayma Al-Awar (Oxford Nanopore)
  • Julie Dawson (Yoti)

Together, they represented the breadth of the UK tech sector – from cybersecurity and AI to advanced data and digital identity.

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Setting the scene at the British Embassy

The visit began at the British Embassy, where the team were briefed by UK officials on trade and digital policy priorities. This set the context for the week and provided valuable insights into how the UK and US can work together on digital and trade policy.

Exploring emerging technologies and digital diplomacy

The delegation then got a valuable briefing of US tech policy in the current geopolitical context from Kevin Allison at Minerva Technology/CEPA, before heading to lunch with the Applied Research Institute to discuss national security innovation.

A key highlight was our meeting at the U.S. Department of State, where the Bureau of Cyberspace & Digital Policy shared perspectives on AI governance, cross-border data, and digital standards.

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Trade and innovation at the Department of Commerce

Day two continued with a strong focus on digital trade. At the U.S. Department of Commerce, discussions centred on services trade, regulatory frameworks, and opportunities for UK-US cooperation on digital markets. We were delighted to be joined by Bill Guidera, newly appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary for Services at the International Trade Administration.

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Building links on Capitol Hill

The delegation also visited Congressman Darin LaHood’s team on Capitol Hill. As a member of the House Ways & Means Committee, Congressman LaHood plays a key role in shaping U.S. trade policy, and the discussion underlined the strong appetite in Congress for advancing digital trade frameworks with trusted partners like the UK. We also held a meeting with Senator Moran’s office to discuss bilateral cooperation on tech and trade.

Policy expertise at the Atlantic Council

Later in the week, the delegation met with experts at the Atlantic Council, who brought a strategic perspective on transatlantic trade, emerging technologies, and the global policy environment. We are grateful to Dan Mullaney, Fran Burwell and Penny Naas for their continued engagement with industry on everything transatlantic trade and technology.

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Advancing standards and trade cooperation

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On final leg of the programme, we were able to engage with the team at the National Institute for Standards and Technology who are in charge of implementing large parts of the US AI Action Plan. Finally, the last day included a constructive session at the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), where conversations centred on regulatory cooperation, digital trade provisions, and the role of AI standards in the future UK-US economic relationship.

What we talked about

Across all these meetings, three themes consistently emerged:

  • Turning the Tech Prosperity Partnership into delivery - Both UK and US counterparts see real potential in the partnership, but momentum and tangible outcomes are essential.
  • Digital trade – Businesses on both sides of the Atlantic are keen to see the trade negotiations advance into digital and services, providing the much needed legal certainty for joint leadership on tech and trade.
  • Emerging technologies – From AI and quantum to advanced manufacturing, collaboration on standards and regulation will be critical to shared prosperity.

Looking ahead

The visit underscored the depth of UK-US ties and the central role of the technology sector in driving future growth and security. Delegates left Washington energised by the conversations and clear about the work ahead: ensuring the voice of industry helps shape a transatlantic agenda that works for innovation, trade, and trust.

techUK will continue to work closely with our members, UK Government, and US partners to deliver on that vision.


For more information, please contact:

Sabina Ciofu

Sabina Ciofu

International Policy and Strategy Lead, techUK

Sabina Ciofu is International Policy and Strategy Lead at techUK, where she heads the International Policy and Trade Programme. Based in Brussels, she shapes global tech policy, digital trade, and regulatory cooperation across the EU, US, Canada, Asia-Pacific, and the Gulf region. She drives strategy, advocacy, and market opportunities for UK tech companies worldwide, ensuring their voice is heard in international policy debates.

With nearly a decade of previous experience as a Policy Advisor in the European Parliament, Sabina brings deep expertise in tech regulation, trade policy, and EU–US relations. Her work focuses on navigating and influencing the global digital economy to deliver real impact for members.

A passionate community-builder, Sabina co-founded Young Professionals in Digital Policy (800+ members) and now runs Old Professionals in Digital Policy (more experience, better wine, earlier nights). She is also the founder of the Gentlewomen’s Club, a network of 500+ women supporting each other with kindness.

She holds advisory roles with the UCL European Institute, Café Transatlantique (a network of women in transatlantic tech policy), and The Nine, Brussels’ first members-only club for women.

Recognised by ComputerWeekly as one of the most influential women in UK tech, Sabina is also a sought-after public speaker on tech, trade and diversity.

Sabina holds an MA in War Studies from King’s College London and a BA in Classics from the University of Cambridge.

She is a frequent traveler and a marathon runner.

Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
+32 473 323 280
Website:
www.techuk.org

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Meet the team 

Daniel Clarke

Daniel Clarke

Senior Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade, techUK

Sabina Ciofu

Sabina Ciofu

International Policy and Strategy Lead, techUK

Theophile Maiziere

Theophile Maiziere

Policy Manager - EU, techUK

Lewis Walmesley-Browne

Lewis Walmesley-Browne

Head of Market Access and Consumer Tech, techUK

Tess Newton

Team Assistant, Policy and Public Affairs, techUK

 

Authors

Sabina Ciofu

Sabina Ciofu

Associate Director – International, techUK

Sabina Ciofu is Associate Director – International, running the International Policy and Trade Programme at techUK.

Based in Brussels, she leads our EU policy and engagement. She is also our lead on international trade policy, with a focus on digital trade chapter in FTAs, regulatory cooperation as well as broader engagement with the G7, G20, WTO and OECD.

As a transatlanticist at heart, Sabina is a GMF Marshall Memorial fellow and issue-lead on the EU-US Trade and Technology Council, within DigitalEurope.

Previously, she worked as Policy Advisor to a Member of the European Parliament for almost a decade, where she specialised in tech regulation, international trade and EU-US relations.

Sabina loves building communities and bringing people together. She is the founder of the Gentlewomen’s Club and co-organiser of the Young Professionals in Digital Policy. Previously, as a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community, she led several youth civic engagement and gender equality projects.

She sits on the Advisory Board of the University College London European Institute, Café Transatlantique, a network of women in transatlantic technology policy and The Nine, Brussels’ first members-only club designed for women.

Sabina holds an MA in War Studies from King’s College London and a BA in Classics from the University of Cambridge.

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