At the heart of Wales' reputation for health data excellence lies the Trusted Research Environment (TRE) model — a secure, transparent, and people-centred approach to enabling research. From the pioneering SAIL Databank to the WASPI framework, Wales has shown how patient data can be used responsibly without compromising trust.
This block highlights how Wales shapes international thinking on data governance, while linking these lessons to European and global perspectives. Combined with insights on cybersecurity and regulatory safeguards, it demonstrates why TREs are not just a technical solution but a cornerstone of ethical, sustainable digital health.
Neal Mullen (CISO, Health Services Executive, Ireland)
With insights from: David Teague (ICO, UK) & Mark Edwards (DHCW, Wales)
Trust is the foundation of health data. Without secure environments and strong governance, AI and analytics cannot scale responsibly. This block examines how TREs and cybersecurity frameworks enable trusted, ethical, and cross-border data use.
Promote responsible, people-centred use of health data.
Position Wales as a leader through SAIL and WASPI.
Facilitate collaboration between policymakers, researchers, and industry.
Unlike standard keynotes with brief Q&A, this block features a structured debrief between experts and the keynote speaker. Delegates gain access to the kind of nuanced exchange that usually happens behind the scenes — turning high-level insights into practical takeaways.
Get to know the experts sharing their insights on Day 2 – TREs & Cybersecurity: Building Trust in Health Data. Their diverse backgrounds and deep expertise are essential to understanding the future of secure health data.
David Teague is the Acting Head of Welsh Affairs at the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), based in Cardiff, where he promotes information rights and data privacy. With extensive experience in data protection, he engages with Welsh stakeholders, provides regulatory advice, and supports compliance with data protection laws, including the UK...
Mark Edwards is Chief Information Security Officer and Head of Profession for cyber security at Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW), responsible for implementing and running the enterprise information security program across NHS Wales. This involves identifying, evaluating, mitigating and reporting on legal, regulatory, commercial, digital,...
Professor Ashley Akbari
Professor of Population Data Science Research, Swansea University
Professor Cathie Sudlow is Head of the School of Population Health Sciences and Director of the Usher Institute at the University of Edinburgh. She is also Director of the UKRI Adolescent Health Study (AHS).
Neal Mullen, Chief Information Security Officer and Senior National Director of Cybersecurity at Ireland's Health Service Executive (HSE), leads efforts to safeguard the nation's healthcare infrastructure. With over 25 years of global experience in healthcare, technology, and retail, he previously served as European Head of Cybersecurity at CRH,...
Alex Newberry is the Head of Research Involvement, Governance & Data for Research at the Welsh Government, with more than 18 years of experience in the government's research and development policy team. He specialises in research governance, ethics, data-led research, and public engagement, and has played a central role in shaping policies that...
Petra Ritter is a visionary leader in computational and clinical neuroscience, holding the lifelong BIH Johanna‑Quandt Chair for Brain Simulation at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the Berlin Institute of Health. Amedical doctor and neuroscientist trained across top institutions—including Charité, UCLA, UCSD, Mount Sinai, and Harvard...
Davide Chiarugi, Director of the Personalized Health Informatics Group at SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, leads efforts in making health data interoperable and shareable via the Swiss Personalized Health Network's Data Coordination Centre and BioMedIT infrastructure. With a PhD in Computer Science and prior roles at the University of...
