Working together to turn private-sector data into public good
We are pleased to invite you to Shared data, Shared impact: Private sector data sharing for public good, an in-person event hosted by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) and Smart Data Foundry. This event brings together leaders from the private sector, research, policy, and civil society at a critical moment for data-informed decision-making.
The session will open with a lunch reception, followed by a welcome and scene-setting from Dougie Robb, CEO of Smart Data Foundry, on the growing role of smart data in shaping policy today and the urgency of stronger cross-sector collaboration.
The programme will feature perspectives from senior researchers, policy organisations and public-interest data users, exploring how responsibly shared private-sector data can illuminate hidden trends, strengthen evidence and support more effective responses to some of society’s most pressing challenges, including economic vulnerability, health and homelessness. Each session will include time for discussion, creating space for shared learning across sectors.
A central focus of the event will be how we move from isolated projects to sustained, proven models of data collaboration. The afternoon will include facilitated breakout sessions, bringing together data holders, researchers and policy leaders to explore both the practical and research challenges of using alternative data sources for public good, and what is needed to overcome them together.
The event will conclude with a collective report-back and informal networking over drinks, offering an opportunity to build relationships necessary to turn shared data into action.
Speakers
Professor Adrian Pabst, Deputy Director, NIESR
Professor Adrian Pabst is one of two Deputy Directors at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research. He read Economics at the University of Cambridge (1995-1998) and then went on to do a Master's at the London School of Economics before returning to Cambridge for his PhD
Kate Cokayne-Naylor, Strategic Data Lead, Royal Foundation
Kate Cokayne-Naylor is the Strategic Data Lead for The Royal Foundation’s Homewards programme - a 5 year locally-led programme aiming to demonstrate that it’s possible to make homelessness rare, brief and unrepeated. Working with six flagship locations around the UK, her role is to use data to identify those at risk of homelessness early so we can intervene and prevent it from happening. Seconded from Salesforce, Kate’s background is in data and analytics consulting - supporting private sector organisations to turn data into a strategic asset
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Professor Paul Mizen OBE, Fellow, Economic Statistics Centre of Excellence (ESCoE)
Professor Paul Mizen OBE is Vice Dean (Research) and Professor of Economics at King’s Business School, King’s College London, and a leading expert on how economic data and statistics are used to inform policy and decision-making. He is the principal investigator and co-founder of the ESRC Decision Maker Panel, a high-frequency business survey widely used to track economic conditions, and his research has directly supported policy discussions at institutions including the Bank of England, HM Treasury and 10 Downing Street. He has published extensively in leading academic journals, held visiting positions internationally, and was awarded an OBE for services to economic research and public policy.
Rosario Piazza, Chief Insight Architect, Insight Infrastructure
Rosario leads JRF's insight and analysis infrastructure, which aims to generate timely and impactful insights on social and economic inequalities. Prior to joining JRF, Rosario was Data Lead at New Philanthropy Capital, where he was responsible for leading the charity’s data strategy and providing thought leadership on the effective use of data and impact measurement. He has also worked for the children and young people's charity Buttle UK, and the West London Children Zone. Before joining the charitable sector, Rosario held various research and analysis roles for market research companies and has an academic background in law and forensic psychology.
Dougie Robb, CEO Smart Data Foundry
Dougie Robb is the CEO of Smart Data Foundry, where he has been a pivotal leader since its inception. He manages key stakeholder relationships with UKRI, the University of Edinburgh, the academic community, and major clients like the Bank of England. His current responsibilities include leading the SIPF grant, overseeing information governance, finance, legal matters, and research & insights. A qualified chartered accountant with extensive financial services experience at PwC, Lloyds Banking Group, Lehman Brothers, and Northern Rock, Dougie has also held FCA-approved positions, including as a compliance officer overseeing £1 billion in client assets.
Smart Data Foundry is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The University of Edinburgh and a private limited company by guarantee, registered in Scotland, with company number SC709914 and VAT Registration Number GB 592 9507 00.