As the EU’s work to develop and build a European Cloud federation and the activity of Gaia-X look set to begin this year, techUK would like to better understand members views on this Data and Cloud initiative. We will be holding a member only virtual roundtable on 8 April to gather views and input on the EU’s proposals in this area and the work of GAIA-X.

If you have an interest in understanding more about the European work in this area and the GAIA-X initiative, and have views you would like to offer please register now to attend this call:

 

What are the EU Cloud and Data Infrastructure Initiatives?

In October 2020 European Member States signed a declaration to develop EU-wide Cloud investments and build a European Cloud federation. Member States agreed to work together towards the deployment of “resilient and competitive cloud infrastructure and services across Europe” and developed joint actions to be taken forward

  • Creation of a European Alliance on Industrial Data and Cloud
  • Work to develop “one se of joint technical solutions and policy norms” to support interoperable EU cloud services
  • Drive to increase the take up of secure, interoperable “energy-efficient data centres and cloud services”

A key aim of the European Cloud federation initiative is to find synergies between “national and cross border initiatives” related to Cloud. This includes the GAIA-X initiative (initiated originally by France and Germany) that is aimed at creating a “European federated data infrastructure” and drive use of cloud services across Europe.  Participation in the European GAIA-X initiative is open to non-European countries and technology companies. Currently more than 300 organisations from many countries are involved in GAIA-X.

An agenda and call details will be sent to members that have registered to attend this techUK member only session.

Sue Daley OBE

Sue Daley OBE

Director, Technology and Innovation

Sue leads techUK's Technology and Innovation work.  This includes work programmes on AI, Cloud, Data, Quantum, Semiconductors, Digital ID and Digital ethics as well as emerging and transformative technologies and innovation policy.  In 2025, Sue was honoured with an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the Technology Industry in the New Year Honours List. She has also been recognised as one of the most influential people in UK tech by Computer Weekly's UKtech50 Longlist and was inducted into the Computer Weekly Most Influential Women in UK Tech Hall of Fame. 

A key influencer in driving forward the tech agenda in the UK, in December 2025 Sue was appointed to the UK Government’s Women in Tech Taskforce by the Technology Secretary of State. She also sits on the UK Government’s Smart Data Council, Satellite Applications Catapult Advisory Group, Bank of England’s AI Consortium and BSI’s Digital Strategic Advisory Group. Previously, Sue was a member of the Independent Future of Compute Review and co-chaired the National Data Strategy Forum. As well as being recognised in the UK's Big Data 100 and the Global Top 100 Data Visionaries in 2020, Sue has been shortlisted for the Milton Keynes Women Leaders Awards and has been a judge for the Loebner Prize in AI, the UK Tech 50 and annual UK Cloud Awards. She is a regular industry speaker on issues including AI ethics, data protection and cyber security.

Prior to joining techUK in January 2015, Sue was responsible for Symantec's Government Relations in the UK and Ireland.  Before that, Sue was senior policy advisor at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Sue has an BA degree on History and American Studies from Leeds University and a Master’s Degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Birmingham. Sue is a keen sportswoman and in 2016 achieved a lifelong ambition to swim the English Channel. 

Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
020 7331 2055
Twitter:
@ChannelSwimSue

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Laura Foster

Laura Foster

Associate Director - Technology and Innovation, techUK

Laura is techUK’s Associate Director for Technology and Innovation.

Laura advocates for better emerging technology policy in the UK, including quantum, future of compute technologies, semiconductors, digital ID and more. Working alongside techUK members and UK Government she champions long-term, cohesive, and sustainable investment that will ensure the UK can commercialise future science and technology research. Laura leads a high-performing team at techUK, as well as publishing several reports on these topics herself, and being a regular speaker at events.

Before joining techUK, Laura worked internationally as a conference researcher and producer exploring adoption of emerging technologies. This included being part of the team at London Tech Week.

Laura has a degree in History (BA Hons) from Durham University and is a Cambridge Policy Fellow. Outside of work she loves reading, writing and supporting rugby team St. Helens, where she is from.

Email:
[email protected]
LinkedIn:
www.linkedin.com/in/lauraalicefoster

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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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