Jon Belcher

Jon is a commercial lawyer specialising in information governance, advising on data protection compliance, information sharing and freedom of information issues.

Main areas of practice

Jon helps clients to get data protection right.  He advises on all areas of compliance, including data audits and data protection impact assessments, complex contractual arrangements and handling subject access requests, as well as drafting privacy notices, consent forms and records of processing activities.

As the course leader and tutor on Blake Morgan’s popular BCS Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection course, Jon delivers training to clients on all areas of information governance and data protection compliance.

Jon is also an experienced commercial lawyer and regularly drafts and negotiates commercial contracts on behalf of his clients.

Significant experience

Jon has wide experience of drafting commercial agreements, with a specific focus on data sharing and processing agreements.  He has advised on the data protection implications of large commercial transactions, including major public sector procurements, complex data export arrangements and direct marketing campaigns.

Most recently, Jon has been advising clients on preparing for the General Data Protection Regulation and implementing compliance programmes.  Prior to 25 May 2018, Jon spent time on secondment with two clients, in the financial services and data analytics sectors, assisting them to develop their GDPR programmes.  He also acted as lead advisor to clients in the media and utilities sectors in respect of GDPR compliance, and is regularly instructed by public sector bodies and charities in Wales and England on data protection matters.

Jon has significant experience advising public sector clients on their compliance with the Freedom of Information Act and the Environmental Information Regulations.

Clients

Jon supports a broad range of clients in both the private sector, including financial institutions and regulated utility companies, and in the public sector, including health and governmental bodies and housing associations.

Expertise

• Data Protection
• Technology
• Commercial Contracts

Career

Jon’s first degree was in Ancient History from Cardiff University.  Following a career in the civil service, including working for the Information Commissioner and the Welsh government, Jon returned to university to retrain as a solicitor.  He qualified in 2012 after training at Bond Pearce LLP in Bristol.  Jon also holds the BCS Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection and is an accredited tutor.