Lynn WyethConference Chair

Lynn Wyeth is a former Head of the Information Governance and Data Protection Officer of a large unitary public authority and has over 20 years' experience as an information rights practitioner. She holds a postgraduate diploma in Information Rights, BCS in Freedom of Information and Data Protection, the CISMP certificate, and is an accredited HSCIPP privacy practitioner.

Now partly retired, she spends her time training and speaking about all things freedom of information and data protection. She is also currently the Digital Officer for the National Association of Data Protection and Freedom of Information Officers (NADPO), and a board member for the national Campaign for Freedom of Information (CFoI).

David HamiltonScottish Information CommissionerKeynote speaker

David Hamilton was appointed the Scottish Information Commissioner in October 2023. He is a former senior police officer with 26 years' experience and former Chair of the Scottish Police Federation.

David has a degree in Computer Engineering from Glasgow University and since then has worked in sales, marketing, banking and as an international aid worker in Bosnia and most recently Ukraine. He is a Trustee of a number of charities, Chair of his local Community Council and is currently training for his black belt in Karate.

Warren SeddonDirector of Freedom of Information & Transparency, ICOKeynote speaker

Warren joined the UK ICO in May 2021 where he leads on work related to the Freedom of Information Act and Environmental Information Regulations. This includes oversight of the casework teams that make decisions on complaints about the handling of information requests by public bodies, as well as all related policy, enforcement and upstream regulation work. He joined the ICO from his role as Director of Strategy, Insight and Communications at the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, where he had been since 2017. Before that he was at the Electoral Commission and held a number of roles in the UK Civil Service. He is also the Chair of the Waterways Ombudsman and has been a member of the Administrative Justice Council.

Deborah ClarkUpstream Regulation Manager, ICO

Debbie manages the ICO’s FOI Upstream Regulation team – a team designed to provide more support for public authorities dealing with FOI requests and to promote good practice. She also leads the ICO’s work on FOI monitoring and enforcement. Deborah has worked in freedom of information since its implementation. She spent 9 years as a Senior Case Officer in ICO before moving onto management roles which have included the Casework team dealing with complaints about the police and justice sector, the Insight and Compliance Team and the FOI Policy team.

Sarah Hughes-JonesHead of Information Governance, NHS Forth Valley

Sarah is the Head of Information Governance at NHS Forth Valley responsible for spreading the good word of all things Information Governance across the organisation. Prior to joining the Health Sector, Sarah worked at the City of Edinburgh Council and Police Scotland meaning she now has more than 20 years and a hat trick of Scottish public authority experience under her belt. Sarah knows the good, bad, and the ugly of FOI and has recently been navigating a Level 3 Intervention. However, following six months of over 90% compliance, she is currently enjoying more of the good than the ugly!

Elaine MoffatPolicy and Information FOI Officer, OSIC

Elaine has worked in public services since 1990; originally as an IT Officer in the Land Registers for 7 years, then as a senior systems administrator installing software and hardware in the Courts, until 2005 when she moved to information governance as Fife Council’s Information Co-ordinator. In 2008 she joined the Commissioner’s office, investigating appeals (15 years), before moving to the Policy and Information team. She helps promote FOI through events, website content and enquiries. She also undertakes intervention work aimed at improving FOI practice.

Sarah LawsData Protection Manager, London Borough of Camden

Sarah is the Data Protection Manager at the London Borough of Camden where she is the professional lead for Data Protection, Records Management and Freedom of Information. Sarah is known for her enthusiasm and commitment to FOI and transparency. Camden’s team have won various awards and plaudits for their FOI performance, and their innovative approach to handling requests means they are often asked to advise other councils.

Scott SammonsIG Consultant

Scott is an experienced freelance IG consultant having now worked and volunteered for 15+ years in the profession across various sectors. Freelance for the last 5 years as a remote DPO or project IG SME at Lighthouse IG, Scott is also a Senior Associate Trainer with Act Now Training and Skills Coach for the Level 4 DP & IG apprenticeship programme in England. Additionally Scott volunteers at the Information and Records Management Society (IRMS) and served as Chair from 2016-20.

Carole EwartDirector, Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland (CFoIS)

Carole serves on: the ‘Access Info’ Board of Directors; the Jimmy Reid Foundation Project Board, an independent ‘think tank’ for progressive policy in Scotland; the UK Anti-SLAPP Working Group, and Scottish sub-group, which campaign against the use of legal intimidation and Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs); the steering group of the UK ESCR Network which promotes the equal enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights.

George GreenwoodInvestigations Reporter, The Times

George Greenwood is investigations reporter at The Times, and one of the UK’s leading experts on transparency journalism.

His work combines the use of FOI, open data, leaks, and traditional shoe leather journalism, to expose wrongdoing. His most recent major investigation revealed how doctors banned overseas have been able to treat British patients.

Recent FOI victories include exposing former home secretary Suella Braverman's breaches of security rules using a private email account, and how in the aftermath of the murder of Sarah Everard, the Met continued to make basic errors investigation violence against women.

He started his career at BBC News and joined The Times in 2018. He was named data journalist of the year in 2025 at The Press Awards and was shortlisted for the 2023 European Press prize.

Lorraine CurrieDirector, Anderson Strathern

Lorraine is one of only five accredited specialists in data protection and freedom of information law in Scotland. With over 15 years of experience in her field, she advises both public and private sector clients on compliance with data protection principles, including data sharing, handling subject access requests, reviewing and drafting contractual terms in relation to processing of personal data, risk assessments and advising on the application of exemptions and exceptions under FOISA and the EIRs.

Paul MutchDeputy Head of Policy & Information, OSIC

Paul Mutch is Deputy Head of Policy & Information with the Scottish Information Commissioner. The Policy and Information Team has a wide range of responsibilities, working to promote FOI rights and good practice to a range of stakeholders, including the public, public authorities, elected representatives the third sector and the media. Paul’s current work areas include supporting the Commissioner’s response to proposals to amend FOI in Scotland and working on the Commissioner’s intervention to improve the FOI performance of the Scottish Government. Paul previously led on work to support Scottish housing associations as they prepared for FOI designation. Paul has been working at the Commissioner’s office since 2003.

Ashleigh BeneyHead of National Police Freedom of Information and Data Protection Unit

Ashleigh Beney brings 17 years of policing experience to her role as Head of the National Police Freedom of Information and Data Unit (NPFDU). Her career has spanned a wide range of operational and leadership positions, from a Station Enquiry Officer and Police community Support Officer to Lead Analyst. Each shaping her commitment to improving national practice, strengthening partnerships, and supporting colleagues across UK policing. In her current role, Ashleigh leads national coordination and strategic development for information management, driving consistency, efficiency, and innovation. She is passionate about continuous learning and collaboration, believing that shared expertise is key to progressing policing’s collective goals.

Kirsten LindsayFreedom of Information Officer, OSIC

Kirsten has worked in the public sector for 15 years, and despite studying psychology fell into the world of FOISA. She began working for the Scottish Prison Service in HMP Perth in 2012, gaining experience in a variety of roles, laterally in the Business Improvement function, which included answering SARs and requests for information on behalf of HMP Perth. This position allowed her to complete a MSc in Forensic Psychology, always being drawn to research. She moved to Perth and Kinross Council as an Information Officer in 2021 and then to OSIC in 2025.

Ashley LardnerInformation Governance Manager, Scottish Environment Protection Agency

Ashley Lardner is the Information Governance Manager at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), leading the Access to Information, Information Governance and Data Protection Teams. She has experience of managing Access to Information requests and teams in the public sector for over 9 years. She was previously the Information Governance Manager at The Electoral Commission and has also worked in information management the private sector.

Outside of work, she is an amateur photographer. Ashley brings a cross-border and engaging perspective to today’s session.

Aiden ClarksonSenior Upstream Regulation Officer, ICO

Aiden Clarkson is a Senior Upstream Regulation Officer at the Information Commissioner’s Office. He works on developing resources to help public authorities comply with FOI/EIR, and on assisting the public to make workable and effective requests. Aiden has also worked in the ICO’s own Information Access team, handling complex FOI requests, and SARs and other individual rights requests. And he has worked on the ICO’s helpline and livechat services, giving information rights guidance to public organisations, private companies, and individuals.

Aroosa KhanInformation Officer, UK Export Finance

Aroosa Khan is a Civil Servant with over five years’ experience working with FOIA and EIR regulations. She studied Law as an undergraduate and began her career in multiple law firms before pursuing roles that better aligned with her commitment to serving the public interest. Since then, she has focused her work within the public sector, specialising in FOIA and the EIR. In her spare time, Aroosa enjoys watercolour painting, candles, and pampering her cat.