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Speaking & executive briefings

Michael Abtar — Keynote Speaker & Moderator

Keynotes, plenary moderation and executive briefings on data protection, digital identity, AI and cyber governance — drawing on practical advisory experience and international conference engagements.

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Michael Abtar speaking on stage with a headset microphone in front of an IDX conference screen reading 23–25 May 2022, Paris.
Michael Abtar presenting on data protection in digital identity at a confidential Thales conference, Paris, May 2022. Photograph courtesy of Thales.

  • Presentation

    Thales conference, Paris, May 2022

  • Keynote & moderator

    Data Protection Africa Summit, Mauritius, 2018

  • Keynotes & moderation

    Ghana Data Protection Commission, 2016 and 2017

  • Panel contribution

    HTN Now, 2024

Delivered · May 2022

Thales, Paris — Digital Identity and Data Protection

“Embedding Data Protection into Digital Identity by Design & by Default”

In May 2022, Michael Abtar delivered a presentation at a confidential, closed Thales conference in Paris focused on border control and homeland security. The international audience included ministers, generals and leaders of police and security organisations.

The engagement brought a data protection perspective to discussions about digital identity in border control and homeland security.

An audience member, in silhouette, asks a question while Michael Abtar listens on stage at the Thales IDX conference in Paris.
Michael Abtar presenting on data protection in digital identity at a confidential Thales conference, Paris, May 2022. Photograph courtesy of Thales.

International experience

On stage at international forums

Michael's international keynote and plenary-moderation experience includes conferences whose programmes have featured senior data protection and technology figures.
Selected participants in past conference programmes
Professor Joseph Cannataci
United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy
Elizabeth Denham
UK Information Commissioner
Daniel Therrien
Privacy Commissioner of Canada
Steve Eckersley
Head of Enforcement, UK Information Commissioner’s Office
Dr Daniel Hayden
Global Head of Data Strategy, Facebook
Heba Ramzey
Corporate Affairs Director for Africa and the Middle East, Microsoft
Titi Akinsanmi
Public Policy and Affairs Lead, Google

Roles relate to the relevant historical conference programmes; inclusion does not imply organisational endorsement.

  • Dr Bright Mawudor, Michael Abtar and a fellow panellist seated on stage at the Data Protection Africa Summit.
    Panel with Dr Bright Mawudor (left), Data Protection Africa Summit, Mauritius, 2018.
  • Michael Abtar shaking hands with a woman presenting a boxed gift on stage.
    Michael Abtar receiving a gift of appreciation from Drudeisha Madhub, Mauritius’s Data Protection Commissioner, for his voluntary support for the Commission and its initiative, 2018.
  • Michael Abtar presenting a cyber security slide to a seated audience in an exhibition seminar space.
    Cyber security seminar, The Great British Business Show, 2017.
  • Michael Abtar speaking at a lectern on stage at the Data Protection Africa Summit.
    Keynote, Data Protection Africa Summit, Mauritius, 2018.

Speaking topics

Six topics, tailored to your audience

Content is tailored to the audience and agreed scope.

  1. 01

    Governing AI: Accountability Beyond the Policy

    How leaders can connect AI ambitions with clear ownership, proportionate assurance and defensible decisions.

    For: Boards, executive teams and AI programme sponsors

    • Who should own AI decisions, and how to evidence it
    • Proportionate assurance that keeps pace with delivery
    Enquire about this topic

  2. 02

    Cyber Risk Is a Leadership Responsibility

    Bringing cyber governance, supplier oversight and organisational resilience into executive decision-making.

    For: Executives, non-executive directors and risk committees

    • Questions leaders should ask about cyber and supplier risk
    • Turning security reporting into decisions
    Enquire about this topic

  3. 03

    Data, Privacy and Business Trust

    Turning privacy and data governance into practical foundations for responsible innovation and stakeholder confidence.

    For: Founders, commercial leaders and privacy teams

    • Privacy as a design input, not a late review
    • Building evidence customers and regulators can rely on
    Enquire about this topic

  4. 04

    Digital Identity: Data Protection by Design

    Exploring how privacy, accountability and responsible data use can be considered from the outset in digital identity programmes.

    For: Public-sector leaders, digital identity teams, technology providers and governance professionals

    • Questions leaders should ask about data protection during design and procurement
    • How to connect accountability and governance with digital identity objectives
    Enquire about this topic

  5. 05

    Digital Health: Innovation, Trust and Patient Safety

    Connecting governance, privacy, cyber risk and clinical safety considerations in digital healthcare.

    For: HealthTech leaders, NHS digital teams and investors

    • How governance, privacy, cyber and clinical safety connect
    • Readiness questions to answer before procurement
    Enquire about this topic

  6. 06

    From Data Ambition to Defensible Decisions

    Exploring the leadership, accountability and data-quality foundations needed to turn information into organisational value.

    For: Chief data officers, data leaders and transformation teams

    • Why data quality is a leadership issue
    • Accountability structures that make data usable
    Enquire about this topic

Formats

  • Conference keynote
  • Panel or plenary moderation
  • Executive roundtable
  • Private leadership briefing

Fees

Speaking fees are quoted according to the format, preparation required, location and any agreed recording or reuse rights. Availability and scope are confirmed individually.

Speaking history

Selected engagements

  1. 2024

    HTN Now — Panel contribution on security, privacy and compliance in healthcare

    Delivered

  2. May 2022

    Thales conference (confidential, closed), Paris, France — Presented on data protection by design and by default in digital identity at a confidential, closed Thales conference on border control and homeland security

    Delivered

  3. 2018

    Data Protection Africa Summit, Mauritius — Keynote speaker and moderator

    Delivered

  4. March 2017

    Ghana Data Protection Commission conference — Keynote contribution and moderation

    Delivered

  5. 2016

    Ghana Data Protection Commission conference — Keynote contribution

    Delivered

The Great British Business Show, 2017

Michael Abtar and Dr Bright Mawudor contributed to seminars at The Great British Business Show in 2017, covering common cybersecurity attacks and prevention, alongside Michael's GDPR presentation.

  • “Witness common cyber security hacks. Learn how to prevent them” — led by Dr Bright Mawudor and Michael Abtar.
  • “GDPR FAQs Answered in Animation” — presented by Michael Abtar.

Earlier contributions

  • Farr Institute — speaking contribution
  • UCL — speaking contribution
  • NHS–Higher Education Forum / Jisc — speaking contribution

Professional experience

  • Former Chair, NHS London Freedom of Information Forum
  • Former Co-chair, NHS London Information Governance Forum

Listen to Michael’s Interview (opens YouTube in a new tab)

African Leadership University podcast · 18 November 2020

An interview with Michael Abtar exploring his professional experience and perspectives.

See media, research & recognition

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