About Us
Empowering the smart data ecosystem.
Smart Data Group is a comprehensive delivery organisation empowering its members to design and implement smart data schemes while shaping and ensuring compliance with future regulatory requirements.
What Is Smart Data
Secure, standardised, consent-driven data sharing.
Smart data enables secure, standardised, and consent-driven sharing of data between organisations and individuals, unlocking innovation, better services, and economic growth. It creates a connected, efficient ecosystem that benefits consumers, businesses, and the wider economy.
By uniting data holders, third-party providers, service providers, regulators, and policymakers, we create collaborative data-sharing frameworks that drive innovation and trust.
Our mission is to proactively deliver scalable, market-driven solutions that anticipate regulation — enabling industry players to lead, not follow. The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 gives the government and regulators powers to mandate data sharing across sectors including energy, retail, telecoms, and finance, unlocking an estimated £27.8 billion in economic value.
Our Divisions
Three pillars of the smart data economy.
SDG UK
The collective voice and home for the smart data ecosystem. SDG UK scopes, tests, and agrees on commercially viable use cases for future smart data schemes, promotes adoption, creates standards, rules, and APIs, and advocates for smart data policies with government and regulators.
Smart Data Services (SDS)
A not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, established to provide industry with the operating vehicle for regulated smart data schemes. SDS delivers technical expertise, governance frameworks, and operational infrastructure across finance, energy, telecoms, and other sectors.
Smart Data International (SDI)
Responsible for promoting UK standards globally, driving cross-border interoperability, sharing best practice, and representing members' international interests across jurisdictions.
Transparent & Results-Driven
We collaborate with members to understand challenges and develop tailored solutions. Our approach is transparent, results-driven, and designed to help businesses succeed in the smart data economy.
Leadership
Experienced leadership driving the smart data agenda.
Chaired by former Minister for Smart Data, our leadership unites policymakers and industry experts to keep the UK at the forefront of data sharing.
Paul Scully — Chair of Smart Data Group
Paul Scully
Chair
Richard Newman — Operational Lead
Richard Newman
Operational Lead
Clare Ambrosino — Operational Lead
Clare Ambrosino
Operational Lead
Advisory Board
Cross-party support at the highest level.
Jonathan Ashworth — Advisory Board Member
Jonathan Ashworth
Advisory Board
Lord Iain McNicol — Advisory Board Member
Lord Iain McNicol
Advisory Board
Lord Martin Callanan — Advisory Board Member
Lord Martin Callanan
Advisory Board
Sir Robbie Gibb — Advisory Board Member
Sir Robbie Gibb
Advisory Board
Priority Sectors for Smart Data Schemes