Law firm Gordons LLP appoints first head of privacy and data protection

Since joining the company (which also operates from offices in Bradford), Wills-Dixon has specialised in privacy and data protection and commercial contracts across the retail, sports, media and marketing and digital and technology sectors. In essence, Wills-Dixon advises clients on all aspects of non-contentious and contentious data protection compliance.

Gordons LLP’s privacy and data protection clients include retailers Wren Kitchens and Heron Foods, market research organisation Mintel, global chemical company BASF plc and Houseful, the parent company of property brands including Zoopla, Alto and Hometrack.

Biggest commodity

Commenting on her appointment, Wills-Dixon informed Security Matters: “It’s a privilege to be Gordons LLP’s first head of privacy and data protection and lead an excellent team of practitioners whose key goal is to further enhance this specialist service.”

Wills-Dixon continued: “Data is arguably now the biggest commodity in the world. Privacy and data protection represent some of the most pressing issues facing businesses today, with clients having to confront more stringent regulatory oversight and the increasing threat of personal data-related cyber attacks.”

Further, Wills-Dixon noted: “Data is also an area that’s undergoing constant change. On that basis, it’s essential clients have access to a specialist legal partner such that they can remain ahead of evolving regulations and risks.”

Last year, Wills-Dixon passed the Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection (PC.dp) examination. This is regarded as the UK’s leading practical qualification for data protection professionals and is accredited by The Law Society and The Bar Council.

Business-critical information

Gordons LLP’s managing partner Victoria Davey explained: “Lauren has excelled since joining the business and been instrumental in the growth of our privacy and data protection offer. She is trusted by clients to advise on business-critical information and they appreciate the approachable and practical way in which she goes about working with them.”

Davey added: “Lauren thoroughly deserves being recognised as our first head of privacy and data protection. She is an ambassador for the firm and has become a recognised industry expert through her regular media commentary on the subject of data privacy.”

In conclusion, Davey observed: “We now look forward to supporting Lauren to further evolve her practice area for the benefit of our existing clients and, what’s more, expand it through new client acquisitions.”

In-house experience

Wills-Dixon boasts a wealth of in-house experience, an element of which was gained through a six-month secondment to the trading team of a major supermarket retailer. Indeed, that experience covers a multitude of areas, among them:

*acting as outsourced data protection support for a national multiple retailer, a national prop-tech platform and a Premier League football club

*advising multiple national brands on key IT outsourcing agreements

*delivering managed legal services to Ocado Retail and Zoopla

*supporting national businesses with supply and demand side ad tech contracts, as well as media buying contracts

*advising on multiple brand ambassador partnerships including on behalf of hair and beauty retailer CLOUD NINE and luxury jewellery retailer Abbott Lyon

*advising Hope For Justice on its pioneering private data exchange project to support progress within the anti-trafficking sector

*advising on complex/international data processing and sharing agreements for global businesses

*preparing and delivering training on areas of commercial and data protection compliance including Adtech, data subject access requests, negotiating data processing agreements, direct marketing and intellectual property

*For further information visit www.gordonsllp.com