3.15pm – 6pm21 May 2025
London
techUK, 10 St Bride Street, London, EC4A 4AD
techUK will launch its pro-growth regulation report - the culmination of collaboration with our members to explore how smarter regulation can drive growth.
About
techUK is delighted to be hosting the official launch of our Pro-Growth Regulation Report, "Evolving Digital Regulation for Growth and Innovation".
This event will mark a key milestone in techUK’s ongoing work to champion a regulatory environment that fosters innovation, drives growth, and supports the UK’s position as a global tech leader. The report brings together industry insights, member-led recommendations, sector-specific case studies, and examples of regulatory best practice — all aimed at enabling a forward-thinking regulatory approach aligned with the Government’s pro-growth agenda.
Why attend?
This launch event will convene senior government representatives, regulators, and leaders from across the tech sector to discuss how digital regulation can evolve to better support innovation and long-term economic growth.
Attendees will get a first look at the report’s findings and hear firsthand from key voices on how industry and government can collaborate more effectively to shape a modern regulatory landscape.
Launch Event Agenda:
Wednesday 21 May, 15:15-17:15, followed by networking drinks
15:15 - Arrival
15:30 - Opening Remarks – Sue Daley OBE, techUK
15:35 - Keynote - Kate Jones, CEO of the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum (DRCF)
15:45 - Panel Discussion 1: Improving the Relationship Between Industry and Regulators.
This panel explores how to strengthen industry–regulator relationships, with techUK's report recommendations including the creation of a Regulatory Initiatives Grid, mutual recognition of international standards, and reforming internal regulatory structures to improve industry engagement.
16:30 - Panel Discussion 2: How to foster growth and innovation
This session focuses on shaping a regulatory environment that supports innovation and growth. techUK's report highlights the role of the RIO, calls for targeted SME support, and other innovative ways to prioritise growth.
17:15 - Networking Drinks: Informal drinks event with networking.
Confirmed Speakers:
Kate Jones
Chief Executive Officer , Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum
Please note that the agenda is subject to confirmation.
About The Report
This report presents ten policy recommendations to strengthen the relationship between government, regulators, and industry, with the overarching aim of promoting innovation, investment, and sustainable economic growth.
The recommendations are grouped into three sections:
Part 1: Adopt a Consistent Growth Mindset between Government and Regulators
This section outlines steps to embed a shared understanding of growth across regulatory bodies, ensuring regulation actively supports business confidence and innovation. Recommendations include:
Clarifying how regulators should interpret the Growth Duty
Strengthening strategic coordination through the Digital Regulation Plan
Creating a mechanism for regular review of impacts
Part 2: Support Innovation and Market Dynamism
This section focuses on enabling innovation and improving support for firms—particularly SMEs—operating in complex regulatory environments. It recommends:
Utilise the Regulatory Innovation Office to Promote Innovation
Provide targeted support for SMEs to navigate regulation
Part 3: Improve Information Flows between Industry and Regulators
The final section addresses the need for better transparency, accountability, and engagement. It includes:
Promoting outcomes-based cooperative regulation
Reforming internal regulatory structures to improve industry engagement
Establish a Digital Regulatory Initiatives Grid
Alignment on international standards
If you have any questions, please do get in contact with the team.
Samiah Anderson
Head of Digital Regulation, techUK
Samiah Anderson
Head of Digital Regulation, techUK
Samiah Anderson is the Head of Digital Regulation at techUK.
With over six years of Government Affairs expertise, Samiah has built a solid reputation as a tech policy specialist, engaging regularly with UK Government Ministers, senior civil servants and UK Parliamentarians.
Before joining techUK, Samiah led several public affairs functions for international tech firms and coalitions at Burson Global (formerly Hill & Knowlton), delivering CEO-level strategic counsel on political, legislative, and regulatory issues in the UK, EU, US, China, India, and Japan. She is adept at mobilising multinational companies and industry associations, focusing on cross-cutting digital regulatory issues such as competition, artificial intelligence, and more.
She holds a BA (Hons) in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from the University of London, where she founded the New School Economics Society, the Goldsmiths University chapter of Rethinking Economics.
Dani joined techUK in February 2025 as a Policy Manager in the Digital Regulation team.
Prior to this, Dani worked in political monitoring where she was a consultant for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. In this role, she developed a strong understanding of parliamentary procedure, closely following all of the major developments in the tech centre and working with several key stakeholders and regulators.
She has an undergraduate degree in History from the University of Bristol and an MPhil in Modern European History from the University of Cambridge.
Outside of tech, Dani has a strong interest in addiction policy, particularly towards drugs, having written her dissertation on the topic as well as several subsequent research projects. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and following all things motoring, whether that be F1, MotoGP or Formula E.
Audre joined techUK in July 2023 as a Policy Manager for Data. Previously, she was a Policy Advisor in the Civil Service, where she worked on the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and at HM Treasury on designing COVID-19 support schemes and delivering the Financial Services and Markets Bill. Before that, Audre worked at a public relations consultancy, advising public and private sector clients on their communications, public relations, and government affairs strategy.
Prior to this, Audre completed an MSc in Public Policy at the Korea Development Institute and a Bachelor's in International Relations and History from SOAS, University of London. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors, learning about new cultures through travel and food, and going on adventures.
Oliver is a Junior Policy Manager at techUK, working across Public Affairs and Digital Regulation policy. He supports the organisation’s engagement with government and parliament, contributes to shaping techUK’s regulatory agenda, and plays a key role in coordinating political outreach, policy projects, and flagship events.
He joined techUK in November 2023 as a Team Assistant to the Policy and Public Affairs team, before stepping into his current role. He has been closely involved in efforts to ensure the tech sector’s voice is heard in the policymaking process.
Oliver holds a Master’s in Policy Research from the University of Bristol and a BSc in Policy from Swansea University. During his studies, he contributed to mental health research as a Student Research Assistant for the SMaRteN network.
Outside of work, Oliver is a keen debater and remains active in the UK debating community, having previously led the Swansea University Debating Union. He enjoys exploring complex issues from multiple perspectives and values clear, thoughtful communication in policy discussions.
Alex joined techUK in September 2021 as our Head of Brand and Campaigns.
Alex supports the development of the techUK marketing strategy, identifying and driving key campaigns across the techUK community that build our credibility, increase our influence, and provide thought leadership on the future impact of tech innovation across society, the economy, and the planet.
Prior to joining techUK Alex was Head of Marketing at UK Finance, the trade association for the banking and finance industry, where he led a team focused on commercial marketing strategies. Before that he was Head of Marketing at Payments UK supporting the payments industry to deliver world leading innovation.
Margherita is the Head of Press and Media at techUK, working across all communications and marketing activities and acting as the point of contact for media enquiries.
Margherita works closely with the staff at techUK to communicate the issues that matter most to our members with the media.
Prior to joining techUK, Margherita worked in public relations across technology, public affairs, and charity, designing evidence-based strategic campaigns and building meaningful ties with key stakeholders.
Programme Assistant, Technology and Innovation, techUK
Harriet Allen
Programme Assistant, Technology and Innovation, techUK
techUK's Policy and Public Affairs Programme activities
techUK helps our members understand, engage and influence the development of digital and tech policy in the UK and beyond. We support our members to understand some of the most complex and thorny policy questions that confront our sector. Visit the programme page here.
Our members develop strong networks, build meaningful partnerships and grow their businesses as we all work together to create a thriving environment where industry, government and stakeholders come together to realise the positive outcomes tech can deliver.
Antony Walker is deputy CEO of techUK, which he played a lead role in launching in November 2013.
Antony is a member of the senior leadership team and has overall responsibility for techUK’s policy work. Prior to his appointment in July 2012 Antony was chief executive of the Broadband Stakeholder Group (BSG), the UK’s independent advisory group on broadband policy. Antony was closely involved in the development of broadband policy development in the UK since the BSG was established in 2001 and authored several major reports to government. He also led the development of the UK’s world leading Open Internet Code of Practice that addresses the issue of net neutrality in the UK. Prior to setting up the BSG, Antony spent six years working in Brussels for the American Chamber of Commerce following and writing about telecoms issues and as a consultant working on EU social affairs and environmental issues. Antony is a graduate of Aberdeen University and KU Leuven and is also a Policy Fellow Alumni of the Centre for Science and Policy at Cambridge University.
As Head of Public Affairs, Alice supports techUK’s strategic engagement with Westminster, Whitehall and beyond. She regularly works to engage with ministers, members of the UK’s parliaments and senior civil servants on techUK’s work advocating for the role of technology in the UK’s economy as well as wider society.
Alice joined techUK in 2022. She has experience working at both a political monitoring company, leading on the tech, media and telecoms portfolio there, and also as an account manager in a Westminster-based public affairs agency. She has a degree from the University of Sheffield in Politics and Philosophy.
Edward leads the Digital Economy programme at techUK, which includes our work on online safety, fraud, and regulation for growth initiatives.
He has prior experience working for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and has previously worked for a number of public affairs consultancies specialising in research and strategy, working with leading clients in the technology and financial services sectors.
Samiah Anderson is the Head of Digital Regulation at techUK.
With over six years of Government Affairs expertise, Samiah has built a solid reputation as a tech policy specialist, engaging regularly with UK Government Ministers, senior civil servants and UK Parliamentarians.
Before joining techUK, Samiah led several public affairs functions for international tech firms and coalitions at Burson Global (formerly Hill & Knowlton), delivering CEO-level strategic counsel on political, legislative, and regulatory issues in the UK, EU, US, China, India, and Japan. She is adept at mobilising multinational companies and industry associations, focusing on cross-cutting digital regulatory issues such as competition, artificial intelligence, and more.
She holds a BA (Hons) in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from the University of London, where she founded the New School Economics Society, the Goldsmiths University chapter of Rethinking Economics.
Audre joined techUK in July 2023 as a Policy Manager for Data. Previously, she was a Policy Advisor in the Civil Service, where she worked on the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and at HM Treasury on designing COVID-19 support schemes and delivering the Financial Services and Markets Bill. Before that, Audre worked at a public relations consultancy, advising public and private sector clients on their communications, public relations, and government affairs strategy.
Prior to this, Audre completed an MSc in Public Policy at the Korea Development Institute and a Bachelor's in International Relations and History from SOAS, University of London. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors, learning about new cultures through travel and food, and going on adventures.
Mia focuses on shaping a policy environment that fosters the expansion of the UK tech sector while maximising the transformative potential of technology across all industries.
Prior to joining techUK, Mia worked as a Senior Policy Adviser at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) within the Policy Unit.
Mia holds an MSc in International Development from the University of Manchester and a BA(Hons) in Politics and International Relations from the University of Nottingham.
Archie Breare joined techUK in September 2022 as the Telecoms Programme intern, and moved into the Policy and Public Affairs team in February 2023.
Before starting at techUK, Archie was a student at the University of Cambridge, completing an undergraduate degree in History and a master's degree in Modern British History.
In his spare time, he likes to read, discuss current affairs, and to try and persuade himself to cycle more.
Dani joined techUK in February 2025 as a Policy Manager in the Digital Regulation team.
Prior to this, Dani worked in political monitoring where she was a consultant for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. In this role, she developed a strong understanding of parliamentary procedure, closely following all of the major developments in the tech centre and working with several key stakeholders and regulators.
She has an undergraduate degree in History from the University of Bristol and an MPhil in Modern European History from the University of Cambridge.
Outside of tech, Dani has a strong interest in addiction policy, particularly towards drugs, having written her dissertation on the topic as well as several subsequent research projects. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and following all things motoring, whether that be F1, MotoGP or Formula E.
Oliver is a Junior Policy Manager at techUK, working across Public Affairs and Digital Regulation policy. He supports the organisation’s engagement with government and parliament, contributes to shaping techUK’s regulatory agenda, and plays a key role in coordinating political outreach, policy projects, and flagship events.
He joined techUK in November 2023 as a Team Assistant to the Policy and Public Affairs team, before stepping into his current role. He has been closely involved in efforts to ensure the tech sector’s voice is heard in the policymaking process.
Oliver holds a Master’s in Policy Research from the University of Bristol and a BSc in Policy from Swansea University. During his studies, he contributed to mental health research as a Student Research Assistant for the SMaRteN network.
Outside of work, Oliver is a keen debater and remains active in the UK debating community, having previously led the Swansea University Debating Union. He enjoys exploring complex issues from multiple perspectives and values clear, thoughtful communication in policy discussions.
Tess joined techUK as an Policy and Public Affairs Team Assistant in November of 2024. In this role, she supports areas such as administration, member communications and media content.
Before joining the Team, she gained experience working as an Intern in both campaign support for MPs and Councilors during the Local and General Election and working for the Casimir Pulaski Foundation. As well as working for multiple charities on issues such as the climate crisis, educational inequality and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). Tess obtained her Bachelors of Arts in Politics and International Relations from University of Nottingham.
Chief Executive Officer , Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum
Kate Jones is the Chief Executive Officer of the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum (www.drcf.org.uk). Kate leads this innovative team, working to increase and deepen coordination between regulators of online services and technology for the benefit of both businesses and their customers.
Before joining the DRCF, Kate was an expert consultant and researcher on the governance of emerging technologies, with particular regard to human rights law, public international law and diplomacy. She was an Associate Fellow with the International Law Programme at Chatham House, Senior Associate with Oxford Information Labs, and member of the advisory board of an AI ethics company. She has published and spoken widely on aspects of national and international tech governance, with specialisms in artificial intelligence, disinformation and foreign interference, and the role of technical standards.
In her work, Kate brings to bear her many years of experience as a legal adviser and diplomat with the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, including as Legal Adviser to the UK Mission to the United Nations in Geneva and UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. She also draws on her experience of leadership, skills and technical expertise as Director of Oxford University’s Diplomatic Studies Programme and as Course Director and Advisory Board member of the Centre for Political and Diplomatic Studies. Kate took her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in law at the University of Oxford and qualified as a UK solicitor at Norton Rose.
Senior Director, UK Government Affairs, Microsoft UK
Chloe MacEwen is Senior Director, UK Government Affairs at Microsoft. Prior to joining Microsoft, Chloe was Head of Competition Policy EU at Amazon, VP EMEA for Western Union and Senior Vice-President, Global Public and Regulatory Affairs, at Argus Media, based in London. She has campaigned for legislative change on company critical issues with policy makers, legislators and regulators around the world. Prior to this Chloe worked as Head of International Policy and Competition at Lloyds Banking Group overseeing the bank’s engagement strategy with policy makers on a broad range of financial services and competition issues. Chloe qualified as a solicitor at Simmons & Simmons and then worked as a competition lawyer at Herbert Smith before spending ten years working as a regulator at the Competition Commission, Office of Fair Trading and DG Competition, European Commission. Chloe was educated at King’s College London where she gained a LLB and LLM.
Executive Director, Regulatory Risk, Information Commissioners Office (ICO)
Stephen Almond, Executive Director for Regulatory Risk, leads the ICO’s teams charged with engineering information rights into the fabric of new ideas, technologies and business models as part of our dynamic digital economy, including through the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum.
Prior to joining the ICO, Stephen led a World Economic Forum initiative to promote the adoption of a more agile, innovation-enabling approach to regulation with governments and tech firms worldwide. He previously worked in leadership roles across the UK Government, including creation of the White Paper on Regulation for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and roll-out of the Regulators’ Pioneer Fund, which invested in regulatory sandboxes and similar initiatives to unlock technological innovation.
Stuart is co-lead of Brunswick’s global regulatory practice. He has advised companies across Europe, North America and Asia on mergers, antitrust investigations and other regulatory issues.
From 2019 to 2023 Stuart served at the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) as Senior Director of Strategy and a member of the Executive Committee. He was on the steering group of the new Digital Markets Unit (DMU) and he has also been Head of Government Affairs at the energy regulator Ofgem.
In his political career, Stuart advised leaders of the Labour Party in government and in opposition. During the global financial crisis he was appointed a Special Adviser to Prime Minister Gordon Brown and over the years he has held policy and strategy roles in national and local election and referendum campaigns.
Stuart’s UK M&A experience includes advising companies, ministers and regulators on many of the highest-profile transactions of the past two decades: Kraft/Cadbury, Pfizer/AstraZeneca, SoftBank/ARM, 21st Century Fox/Sky, Melrose/GKN, Sainsburys/Asda and Microsoft/Activision.
Stuart is also an experienced non-executive director, including as Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee and Senior Independent Director at the health care charity Sue Ryder. He holds a MSc in Finance from the University of London and a BA in History and Politics from the University of Oxford.
Julie leads regulatory and government relations for Yoti’s digital identity platform; developing policy approaches for fraud prevention and safeguarding, liaising with national and sectoral trust frameworks, in conjunction with Yoti's internal and external ethics boards.
Yoti is an identity checking system that allows organisations to verify who people are, online and in person. Yoti offers Identity verification, Age verification, E-signatures and Authentication.
Yoti is a team of over 400, has its HQ in London and counts over 12 million installs of the Yoti app; has conducted over 500 million age checks.
Partner and Global Co-Head of Gaming, Linklaters LLP
Verity is a partner in Linklaters’ London Antitrust & Foreign Investment Group and co-head of the UK technology sector team and Global Co-Head of Gaming.
Verity has over a decade of experience across advisory, investigatory and transactional aspects of competition law in the EU and the UK, including on vertical and abuse of dominance issues. She is particularly familiar with the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority, having spent time on secondment to the CMA’s mergers group, during which she sat on the CMA’s Mergers Intelligence Committee.
Verity is recognised as a leading commentator on competition and regulatory issues in the tech sector and on forthcoming platform regulation regimes.
James is a leader in Ofcom’s Strategy team, working on cross-cutting and edge of remit policy areas, with a particular focus on media futures and digital convergence.
James has led on innovation work across Ofcom including the regulator’s original Open Data strategy, building internal innovation methods. and developing coherent approaches to industry engagement across AI, Smart Cities and technical standards. He also played a key early role in designing Ofcom’s new regulatory frameworks for both the BBC and Online Safety.
Previously, James was Head of Special Projects at DG Cities, where he supported local authorities in using next generation connectivity to deliver high quality public services. James is also a Non-Executive Director at Democracy Club CIC, which provides the digital infrastructure that helps millions of people vote in UK elections.
Director of Innovation and Technology, Confederation of British Industry
Naomi is the Director of Innovation and Technology at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), where she is responsible for spearheading their policy initiatives aimed at positioning the UK as the most attractive destination for businesses to invest in and leverage innovation and technology, as well as fostering the growth of innovative enterprises.
Her professional journey commenced in the financial services sector before transitioning into policy work, where she contributed to various policy areas including R&D, entrepreneurship, skills, immigration, and diversity.
Sue leads techUK's Technology and Innovation work.
This includes work programmes on cloud, data protection, data analytics, AI, digital ethics, Digital Identity and Internet of Things as well as emerging and transformative technologies and innovation policy. She has been recognised as one of the most influential people in UK tech by Computer Weekly's UKtech50 Longlist and in 2021 was inducted into the Computer Weekly Most Influential Women in UK Tech Hall of Fame. A key influencer in driving forward the data agenda in the UK Sue is co-chair of the UK government's National Data Strategy Forum. As well as being recognised in the UK's Big Data 100 and the Global Top 100 Data Visionaries for 2020 Sue has also been shortlisted for the Milton Keynes Women Leaders Awards and was a judge for the Loebner Prize in AI. In addition to being a regular industry speaker on issues including AI ethics, data protection and cyber security, Sue was recently a judge for the UK Tech 50 and is a regular judge of the annual UK Cloud Awards.
Prior to joining techUK in January 2015 Sue was responsible for Symantec's Government Relations in the UK and Ireland. She has spoken at events including the UK-China Internet Forum in Beijing, UN IGF and European RSA on issues ranging from data usage and privacy, cloud computing and online child safety. Before joining Symantec, 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 Masters Degree on 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.
