If you decide to develop your career in privacy with an IAPP or BCS professional
certification from us, this is who'll be looking after you and your data
MEET THE TEAM
Joyce Allen
Founding Director and Trainer 
In twenty years, few people have accomplished more than Joyce Allen to transform information rights into the modern profession it has become. Her belief in affordable, continuing professional development through recognised industry qualifications challenged the established order of the time. Previously, the high cost of training and legal focus restricted widespread adoption, limiting opportunities to consultants, academics and practitioners of law. Today, thanks to her practical approach and relatable teaching methodology, data protection and freedom of information professional certifications are considered an essential learning path for all information rights practitioners, regardless of their background.
Joyce believes in providing the skills, knowledge and tools that people need to discharge their duties or responsibilities at the highest level. In this regard, the attainment of a BCS or IAPP professional certification is recognition of an individual's newly acquired abilities, not the objective. And while understanding the law is a fundamental aspect of being an effective practitioner, Joyce focuses on the importance of data rights, ethics and the principles of fairness.
Having been a BCS trainer and course director since 2003 and, more recently, the IAPP, over 2000 students have entrusted Joyce with their professional development. Her training helps people working for multinational corporations and public sector clients achieve their career goals. Over the years, her insight, advice and opinions have been sought by supervisory authorities and government agencies involved in setting the agenda for advancing information rights.
Qualifications
- BCS Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection
- BCS Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information
- BCS Certificate in Information Security Management Principles (CiSMP)
- IAPP Certified Information Privacy Practitioner Europe (CIPP/E)
Julie Dennis
Training Director
Julie is an experienced BCS and IAPP trainer and serves as the Training Director at Freevacy. Her expertise includes data protection law, privacy programme management, and the implementation of privacy-enhancing technologies.
Julie employs a practical and informal approach to data protection training, which enables her students to analyse and interpret legislative requirements before applying them in day-to-day business oerations.
Before moving into full-time education, Julie enjoyed a 15-year successful privacy career, including 7 years as a data protection officer for a law enforcement agency.
Qualifications
- BCS Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection
- BCS Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information
- BCS Certificate in Information Security Management Principles (CiSMP)
- IAPP Certified Information Privacy Practitioner Europe (CIPP/E)
- IAPP Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM)
- IAPP Certified Information Privacy Technologist (CIPT)
- Target training qualification
Nathan Fowler
Chief Executive Officer
With over 20 years of experience in privacy and data protection professional development, Nathan Fowler became Chief Executive Officer of Freevacy in April 2025, succeeding Founding Director Joyce Allen.
As a strategic thinker, Nathan played a key role in establishing Freevacy as a market leader in BCS- and IAPP-certified data protection and AI governance training. Now in its tenth year, Nathan brings a wealth of experience and passion to lead Freevacy at a critical time when organisations are increasing personal data processing and pursuing ambitious AI transformation programmes. With the additional demands this places on the existing workforce and a global shortage of experienced data practitioners, Nathan is focused on delivering a new digital skills revolution for specialist teams and frontline employees to unlock untapped talents and create a deeper, more responsible and privacy-conscious data culture.
Nathan aspires to build a business environment that places a higher value on protecting personal data and actively promotes ethical data practices as a key driver of building consumer trust.
William Bello
IAPP Trainer and Data Protection Officer
William Bello is a practising data protection officer with the European Association of Data Protection Professionals (EADPP) and a professional trainer with over 35 years of experience. Since 2017, William has been an IAPP official trainer partner.
He is goal orientated, has a strategic approach to decision making and proven leadership skills. As a trainer, Williams's areas of expertise include GDPR compliance, privacy programme management, information security, and IT Service Management. William is also experienced in developing and implementing employee privacy and security culture awareness learning and development programmes.
Technical skills
- Privacy and Data Protection practitioner (legal, compliance, technical)
- Data Protection Officer (DPO)
- Business Analyst (capture business requirements and manage service delivery)
- Enterprise Architecture (analyse, improve, define, design)
- Project Quality Assurance
- IT data center and networking design and implementation
- Application design, quality Assurance and implementation
Qualifications
- IAPP Certified Information Privacy Practitioner Europe (CIPP/E)
- IAPP Certified Information Privacy Practitioner United States (CIPP/US)
- IAPP Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM)
- IAPP Certified Information Privacy Technologist (CIPT)
- IAPP Certified Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional (AIGP)
- IAPP Fellow of Information Privacy (FIP)
- itSMF ITIL V3 foundation certificate
- BCS Foundation Certificate in Artificial Intelligence
Sue Turner OBE
AI Governance Trainer
Sue Turner is dedicated to using her expertise in AI, data governance and ethics to inspire people and organisations to use AI with wisdom and integrity. In 2023, Sue was included in the World's 100 Leading Women in AI Ethics and was one of the first 14 people globally to be accredited in the Foundations of Independent Audit of AI Systems.
With both a Law degree and an MSc in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, Sue joins Freevacy as an associate to support our AI Governance training initiatives. Since 2021, Sue has trained thousands of leaders in private, public and not-for-profits on how to harness the power of AI responsibly.
Sue is a regular public speaker and most recently participated in a panel discussion on how businesses struggle to grip AI governance and controls at the Financial Times Future of AI Event in November 2024.
Sue's career spans entrepreneurial private businesses and not-for-profit organisations where she has led significant organisational growth, raised £27 million for charity and collaborated to shift power to help people improve their prospects. In 2021, Sue was recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours List by being awarded an OBE for Services to Social Justice.
Qualifications
- MSc in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
- LLB Bachelor of Laws
- BCS Foundations of Independent Audit of AI Systems - ForHumanity
Amber Badley
BCS Trainer and Data Protection Officer
Amber Badley provides practical, experience-based training and advice on information rights. With a Master's Degree from Northumbria University and over 20 years of experience, Amber passionately supports organisations to achieve and maintain compliance with UK data protection legislation, the Freedom of Information Act, and Environmental Information Regulations.
As a practising data protection officer for over 95 UK organisations, Amber has extensive experience managing data protection security breaches or dealing with complaints following Subject Access Requests and Freedom of Information Act Requests. This includes supporting organisations through complex cases escalated to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and attending Information Tribunal court hearings.
During her time as an FOI Officer for Devon County Council (DCC), Amber was the decision maker in the successful High Court FOI Act case (Dransfield v ICO & DCC [2015] EWCA Civ 454) which resulted in the first ever UK case law and guidance on managing 'vexatious requests'.
Amber has also been invited by the Department for Education (DfE), to join their panel of data protection experts to create a series of resources, guides and templates, to support schools in their journey towards compliance with the data protection legislation.
Qualifications
- Masters Degree - Information Rights Law and Practice (LLM)
- BCS Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection
- BCS Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information
- ILM level 5 award in leadership and management
Our clients
VIEW OUR COURSES
BCS Foundation Certificate in Data Protection
The Foundation GDPR Certificate from the BCS is recommended for anyone involved in the collection, usage or protection of personal information.
BCS Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection
The GDPR Practitioner Certificate from the BCS is the leading industry qualification for UK focused DPOs and compliance professionals.
DPA2018 Part 3 - Criminal Law Enforcement Processing
An interactive workshop examining the UK legal framework governing the processing and sharing of personal data for criminal law enforcement purposes.
BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles
An internationally recognised foundation-level qualification from the BCs that demonstrates a core understanding of information security management.
BCS Practitioner Certificate in Information Risk Management
A practical approach to learning about information risk management in the context of current standards, including ISO 27001, 27005, and 31000.
BCS Essentials Certificate in Artificial Intelligence
Develop an understanding of the basic principles of artificial intelligence, its benefits and risks, and the processes behind machine learning.
BCS Foundation Certificate in Artificial Intelligence
Learn the general principles of ethical, trustworthy and sustainable AI and why organisations will be defined by how well they implement it.
BCS Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information
This BCS Practitioner Certificate is the recognised qualification for individuals with information access responsibilities under the FOIA or EIR.
IAPP Certified Information Privacy Professional Europe
The CIPP/E is the essential IAPP certification for privacy professionals covering Europe's framework of laws, regulations and policies, most significantly the GDPR.
IAPP Certified Information Privacy Manager
The CIPM is a unique qualification in privacy programme management from the IAPP that teaches DPOs and senior compliance professionals how to turn policies into accountability.
IAPP Certified Information Privacy Technologist
The CIPT is an industry recognised qualification for IT professionals who require the technical skills and knowhow to implement comprehensive privacy compliant solutions.
IAPP Certified Information Privacy Professional United States
The CIPP/US is an advanced IAPP certification for practitioners who require knowledge of the privacy laws and regulations in the United States at federal and state levels.
IAPP courses and BCS professional certifications can make the difference when applying for a new job or internal promotion. The knowledge gained can add tens of thousands of pounds to your lifetime earnings. With demand for qualified professionals at an all-time high, there's never been a better time to be an information rights practitioner.
Your employers benefit too by having qualified, competent personnel manage their information compliance processes.