The Hive Live 2025
Presented in proud partnership with:
Big Picture Training, PropTech Peer Group, IOLIS A R C, Keepabl, & Done Better.
The third annual Hive Live data conference:
Wednesday 15th October 2025
in the Midlands, UK
Why did we produce The Hive Live?
Like data management itself, it all starts with ‘purpose’. The purpose of The Hive Live is to bring people together to learn, share, plan, and build community, as we face the challenges of data management together.
We’re proud to welcome Data Protection Officers and professionals, Data Analyst, Digital, and Cyber specialists, Risk & Assurance professionals, and so many more; anyone dealing with information!
We’re all about breaking down silos in organisations, and facilitating cross-team working and cooperation.
Because there’s never enough time for networking when we meet with like-minded and similarly enthusiastic professionals, the Hive Live is largely interactive as well as having built-in networking sessions. The agenda includes insightful and inspiring speakers and engaging workshops.
What makes The Hive Live special?
✔ Network with fellow purpose-driven professionals in a safe space. Our delegates love the mix of people, the relaxed environment, and the smaller-sized event meaning you can chat comfortably to everyone you want to.
✔ Engaging interactive sessions that provide actionable advice from fantastic speakers. Described as insightful, informative, and useful, previous line-ups included former Guernsey Data Protection Commissioner, Emma Martins; RM Girl aka Emily Overton; Cyber expert, Chris Roberts of Cybata; Risk Management expert Becky Tucker; Digital Bark founder, Dave Loudon; Social Housing Round Table founder and host, Matt Baird; and more.
✔ Inclusion; we do everything we can to help everyone to be comfortable and catered for. From the choice of venue to dietary requirements, to the fact there’s no pressure to join in with interactive sessions if you’d rather not, we want you to be able to relax and be yourself.
✔ Great value; the ticket price covers only the basic costs for the event – the unique venue, delicious refreshments, and speaker expenses – this conference is not a corporate money-spinner where profit overtakes purpose, and we don’t take advantage of our wonderful speakers.
#LOVED – Really insightful presentations, learnt loads.
Hive Live 2024 delegate
Hive Live 2025 Agenda
See more about our fantastic presenters below.
8.45 – 9.30
Gathering in the Hive: Registration & coffee
9.30 – 9.35
Opening the Hive: Welcome by Clare Paterson
9.35 – 10.00
Breaking the Ice, Building the Hive: What Would You Do?, with Dave Wylie
10.00 – 11.00
The Curator of Curiosity, Rob Rowlands
11.00 – 11.30
Morning coffee & building connections
11.30 – 12.30
Data with Integrity, with Miss IG Geek, Rowenna Fielding
12.30 – 2.00
Lunch buffet & building connections
2.00 – 3.00
From Chaos to Clarity, Data Strategy with Emma Corbett
3.00 – 3.15
Afternoon coffee break
3.15 – 4.15
Superpowers in the Hive, with Laura O’Neill
4.15 – 4.30
Closing the Hive, Reflections on the day and what comes next, with Clare Paterson
The sessions will be value-packed, coming from these inspiring presenters, just like the 2024 and 2023 Hive Live Conferences, which we also held at Cosford Air Museum in the Midlands/Shropshire, where we’re returning for 2025! See location and travel details below.
Last year’s reaction is summed up by one attendee as “Diverse topics, but all valuable”, and we very much hope that – like previous attendees – you will all be “going home buzzing”! 🐝
NEW for 2025: Buzz Builder Passes
We firmly believe that the data protection principles are the ideal foundation on which to build ethical, efficient, and impactful business decisions, and the Hive Live Data Conference is part of the mission to share this outlook. But many talented professionals, especially in smaller organisations or early in their careers, face barriers to accessing events that could elevate their expertise and expand their networks.
So we’ve created Buzz Builder Passes, a fantastic opportunity for organisations to fund delegate places to the Hive Live 2025 for people who would get huge benefit but don’t have the budget to attend.
By funding Buzz Builder Passes, organisations can play a vital role in strengthening the sector, supporting diverse voices and fresh perspectives to contribute to the conversation. Each Buzz Builder Pass recipient will gain access to the full conference experience, including expert-led interactive sessions, networking opportunities, and discussions that bridge the gap between data protection and business value.
Why fund a Buzz Builder Pass?
By funding a Buzz Builder Pass, your organisation will:
- Gain Visibility & Recognition – Your company’s name will be highlighted as a Buzz Builder Partner to an engaged audience, demonstrating your commitment to supporting professional growth and ethical data practices.
- Engage with Emerging Talent – Connect with up-and-coming professionals and fresh thinkers who could become future collaborators, advocates, or even team members.
- Champion a Thriving Data Community – Play a direct role in making sure the most passionate and capable individuals – regardless of budget – can contribute to key conversations.
- Align with Purpose & Ethics – Show your organisation’s dedication to responsible data practices, inclusion, and knowledge-sharing, reinforcing trust and credibility in the market.
By sponsoring Buzz Builder Passes, you’re not just covering the cost of a ticket, you’re building bridges, creating opportunities, and fueling the next wave of purpose-driven impact.
If you’d like to join us in making The Hive Conference a place where everyone who should be in the room, gets to be in the room, please apply to be a funder via this form: https://forms.office.com/e/nV8mgxBHXJ
How to receive a free Buzz Builder Pass?
You’re welcome to nominate yourself, or refer us to your contacts and colleagues, for the chance to receive a free Buzz Builder Pass to the Hive Live 2025. We’re looking for those who are earlier on in their data or data protection careers, or have no budget for any reason, but are keen to learn, share knowledge, and network at the Hive Live 2025! We especially hope to increase diversity and inclusion in the sector, and hear from fresh voices in the space.
If you’re nominating someone else, please don’t give us their details, you’ll find instructions in the form about how to direct them to make their own application.
Please apply for a Buzz Builder Pass, or nominate someone else to receive one, via this form: https://forms.office.com/e/nV8mgxBHXJ
Will definitely attend again, brilliant, informative, fun event!
Hive Live 2024 delegate
Meet our Hive Live 2025 Partners
The Hive Live has always been about community. We bring people together to collaborate, share knowledge, and support each other. This year we are beyond proud to be extending that community through the generosity and amazing support of our partners Big Picture Training, Elehan Consulting’s PropTech Peer Group, IOLIS ARC, and Keepabl!
Elehan Consulting, the growth consultancy for Social Housing and PropTech SMEs founded by Stewart Davison, created the PropTech Peer Group, which provides in-depth knowledge and support to its members, and is a proud partner of the Hive Live Data Conference.
IOLIS ARC is a consultancy rooted in law, governance and continuity planning. Working with charities, non-profits, public interest bodies, and sports across Wales and beyond they help build clarity, resilience and integrity into your operations without unnecessary complexity. With a mission and vision so aligned to the Hive Live’s own, IOLIS ARC is a proud partner of the Hive Live.
The name says it all – Done Better. It’s all about better strategy, and stronger outcomes by helping make IT, cyber, and governance simpler, smarter, and more sustainable so housing providers, purpose-led organisations and small to medium businesses can focus on delivering what matters most. An aim that fits perfectly with this year’s theme of Building Bridges; Purpose to Progress.
Keepabl’s mission is to deliver the world’s most-loved Compliance SaaS. Their ‘Why‘ is to joyfully use tech to solve people’s headaches and make them feel happier. They make no apologies if that sounds sentimental as it’s incredibly important on an individual and organisational level. And aligns perfectly with the aims of the (also sometimes sentimental!) Hive Live.
Big Picture Training is an international partner! The first choice for customer service (CS) and customer experience (CX) consultancy, coaching and training in social housing, non-profit and associated sectors, founded by Jo Leckie who spoke at the first Hive Live, BPT is based in Australia, and is a proud partner of the Hive Live Data Conference.
The agenda includes value-packed and inspiring sessions, just like the 2024 and 2023 Hive Live Conferences, which we also held at Cosford Air Museum in the Midlands/Shropshire, where we’re returning for 2025! See location and travel details below.
What people said about The Hive Live 2024
What people said about The Hive Live 2023
“The fabulous venue (make time for the museum!) was matched only by the content and the people. No sales pitches – just engaging and impactful content throughout the day. It’s excellent value for money and highly recommended.”
James England, Director,
Data Protection Education
“Loved the event and would love to attend again…I’d definitely recommend it too. Thank you both for a great day :)”
Lauren Cannon, Information Governance Manager, VIVID
“The Hive Live, a smaller but amazing conference now in its second year… Please have a look and see if it fits with your schedule. It is well worth it. I know this as I spoke last year and had a great time.”
Dave Loudon, Digital Bark
“A brilliant event, really well organised and was lovely to meet like minded people. Communication about the event was spot on and we found the video about getting there helpful. Thank you very much.”
Lizzie
“Excellent venue and a good sized group which allowed for relaxed and inclusive discussions.”
Hive Live 2023 attendee
“It’s great you are doing [the Hive Live] – I really admire your energy and commitment.”
Consultant in the Social Housing Sector
The Hive Live 2025 Team
The first presenter of the day will get our brains warmed up with a short exercise (not actual exercise, you can stay seated!) on behalf of former Hive Live presenter Chris Roberts (he/him). With his background in the technical side of data as well as a talent for the legal side Dave Wylie (he/him) provides consultancy in Data Protection, GDPR and Cyber Security in many organisations including for housing and third sector sectors working with CP Data Protection. We’re delighted to have him starting the day with Cybata’s brand new game “What Would You Do?”
The opening workshop session will be presented by Dr Rob Rowlands (he/him), or the Curator of Curiosity, who helps organisations find the insights they need to make a difference, by collating quality, not collecting numbers. As a research coach and critical friend for organisations that want to do things better – not just do more – Rob helps people become detectives: asking sharper questions, digging into what really matters, and making sense of the messy, complex world of data, feedback, and lived experience.
Emma Corbett (she/her) skillfully brings people and data together, with her work as a Data Strategist, Coach and Mentor and Fractional Leader. As a naturally curious complex problem solver, Emma’s work is built around three core pillars that help businesses and individuals unlock their potential by finding clarity, direction, and the right framework to turn ideas into action.
We welcome Miss IG Geek herself, Rowenna Fielding (she/her) to talk about unintended consequences. She is a self-described data protection, data ethics, and digital privacy nerd. Working as a consultant and well-known speaker, Rowenna’s mission is to help organisations and individuals stitch together technology, law and humanity, and make the best of each. Or as she often says it “don’t be a git”!
Laura O’Neill (she/her) is on a Data Protection mission; passionate about protecting people and their rights through effective data protection practices, she thrives on helping organisations navigate the complexities of compliance. Laura uses her extensive experience in purpose-driven sectors to design proactive solutions and foster a culture of awareness. For Laura, data protection isn’t just about compliance – it’s about safeguarding what matters most; people.
Clare Paterson (she/her), director and consultant at CP Data Protection. With over 25 years of experience in quality assurance and risk management, including over ten years specialising in data protection, and 12 years in-house at a large housing association, Clare launched CP Data Protection in 2017 to offer values-led sectors clear & practical advice on data protection, shining a light on the benefits of good data management. Clare hosts the free Hive Online sessions, and is delighted to be growing that community with the addition of the Hive Live Data Conferences.
Sue Penny (she/her) and Vikki Brooks (she/her) are the #TeamCPDP-members working with Clare and the presenters to bring you the Hive Live, making sure it runs smoothly and everyone is comfortable and catered for, working with the team at the unique venue, RAF Cosford Air Museum.
A good sized group which allowed for relaxed and inclusive discussions.
Hive Live attendee
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is The Hive Live only for the Housing sector and/or Data Protection Officers?
A. No! Everyone is welcome and will benefit.
While the Hive’s key message of “Start With Purpose” is especially pertinent for the social housing sector, (as highlighted by the Housing Ombudsman’s Spotlight report on Knowledge & Information Management), all sectors, especially values-led sectors, will go away with useful ideas, knowledge, and new contacts.
Data Protection Officers will gain practical advice & ideas and meet fellow DPOs, but it is ideal for “non-DP” colleagues too, as the event covers all types of data, and we will have sessions on data strategy and ethics, not just data protection.
Q. How much does The Hive Live cost & what’s included?
A. The whole event, with speakers & interactive sessions (no break-out sessions, so no need to choose what to miss!), lunch, refreshments & parking onsite, plus access to a private chat forum pre- and post-event, is staying at the 2023 & 2024 price of £165 (+VAT) per person.
Contact Clare@cpdataprotection.com to discuss group discounts.
Attendees will have a chance to see the museum. There’s lots of accommodation nearby, although no accommodation onsite, and you can download information about travel & local hotels here.
Q. How do I book, or cancel, a place at The Hive Live?
A. You can click here to book & pay via Calendly, pay via Stripe with a credit/debit card, and you’ll get confirmation & reminder emails. If you can’t pay by card, or can’t pay straightaway but want to reserve a space, we’ll provide a reservation link. Access to the chat forum is provided once payment is made. Please email us if you need to cancel; full refunds are given for 7 days after booking, then refunds are on a sliding scale, but we may use our discretion to refund more. Full T&Cs are here. You can also transfer your ticket for free.
Q. Can I reserve a place if I’m not ready to book & pay for a place at The Hive Live?
A. Yes, you can click here to reserve a space and you’ll get reminder emails, so you can book today and pay when you receive the invoice.
Use this link too if you have a discount code (N.B. Early Bird discounts are applied automatically, so you don’t need a code for those discounts. This is just for any additional discount codes you may have.)
(Ignore the fact the reservation page says the event is 30 mins long, starting at 8.30am, it’s a tech thing!)
Access to the chat forum is provided once payment is made, and we can’t guarantee that you will definitely get a space until payment is made.
Please email us if you need to cancel; full refunds are given for 7 days after booking, then refunds are on a sliding scale, but we may use our discretion to refund more. Full T&Cs are here. You can also transfer your ticket for free.
Q. Can The Hive Live accommodate accessibility and/or dietary needs?
A. Absolutely.
We feel very strongly about inclusion, and understand the challenges of having dietary or other needs to accommodate. The hospitality team at Cosford will happily cater for dietary requirements, and the conference room is on the ground floor, easily accessed from the front door of the building, and close to toilets (including accessible toilets.)
Please contact Clare@cpdataprotection.com or Sue@cpdataprotection.com to discuss your needs in confidence and we will do everything we can to ensure you can enjoy The Hive Live event.
Q. How do I get to The Hive Live and where can I stay overnight?
A. We have pulled together some information on travel to Cosford, which is centrally located in the Midlands/Shropshire, just off the motorway, and nearby hotels and B&Bs, which you can find here, or you can download here.
Please contact Clare@cpdataprotection.com or Sue@cpdataprotection.com to discuss any specific needs or queries in confidence and we will do everything we can to ensure you can enjoy The Hive Live event.
Q. What makes The Hive Live different to other data conferences?
A. The Hive Live is hosted by people with real experience in the world of data, especially customer data, and in the world of purpose-driven sectors & organisations, who are dedicated to breaking down silos between data teams and other teams.
There are other Data Protection events (many of which we love!) but we saw a gap; we wanted to bring the worlds of ‘data’ and ‘data protection’ closer together.
We aim to provide an event that gives maximum value in the form of actionable advice and networking – the type of event we would love to attend ourselves.
The Hive Live, a smaller but amazing conference… Please have a look and see if it fits with your schedule. It is well worth it. I know this as I spoke last year and had a great time.
Dave Loudon, Digital Bark
Photos from The Hive Live 2024
Photos from The Hive Live 2023
Travel & Accommodation
Click here to download a copy of this Travel & Accommodation Information
Location
RAF Museum Midlands (Cosford)
Lysander Avenue, Cosford, TF11 8UP
Getting to the Cosford Air Museum
By Road
Cosford is centrally located with good motorway access:
If you’re coming from the north, leave M6 at junction 12 and follow A5 west.
From the south, leave M6 at junction 10a onto the M54 west to junction 3 towards Wolverhampton.
The Museum is only thirty minutes from the centre of Birmingham and ten minutes from Telford.
Free parking: There is a large car park on site, which is free for the Hive Live attendees – don’t get a ticket from the car park machine, we will give you a parking pass when you arrive at the conference registration desk.
The Museum also has brown and white tourism direction signs labelled ‘RAF Museum’.
There is a height restriction of 13ft (3.9 metres) under the railway bridge approaching the airfield.
Click here for the map on the Cosford Museum website.
Click here to watch a short video of driving from the motorway to the Museum entrance. (Opens in YouTube)
By Rail
Cosford Station is located on the Birmingham (and Wolverhampton) to Shrewsbury line then ½ mile walk. (There is no footpath alongside the road.) Please let us know if you require transport from the station (or bus stop – below) and we will arrange it.
Please check timetable and with rail operators including West Midlands Railway before visiting as Cosford station is unmanned with flights of steps from both platforms.
By Bus
The nearest bus stop is the Cosford Garage, approximately a 1 mile walk to the Museum gates.
Please let us know if you require transport from the bus stop and we will arrange it.
By Cycle
The Museum is conveniently located along National Cycle Route 81 which runs from Wellington to Albrighton. Cycle racks are situated next to the Museum Visitor Centre.
Hotels nearby
Shifnal is a picturesque old town, 3 miles away from Cosford, with a few hotels and guest houses.
Albrighton is similar, which is the next village along from Cosford.
Telford is a large town with shopping, restaurants, cinema, and a park, with several hotels, including Premier Inns, about 15 minutes drive (9 miles) away – down the M54 – from the museum.
Wolverhampton City is nearby too, and about 15 minutes (8 miles) away down the A41 is the Mount Hotel on the outskirts (this is where visiting actors and bands sometimes stay – keep your eyes open!)
Places to eat nearby
Many of the above hotels have their own restaurant, however there are some additional venues in the area, as below, as well as several restaurants in Telford town centre:
https://theshrewsburyarms.com In Albrighton (confusingly, not Shrewsbury!) This is where we went for food and drinks after the Hive Live 2023 & 2024.
https://www.milanlounge.co.uk In Shifnal
https://www.thecowshedrestaurant.co.uk Near Albrighton
Pre-event, informal meet up: The Anvil real ale pub In Shifnal from 7pm Tuesday 14th October.