Stephen Almond

Background

About Stephen Almond

Executive leader in digital regulation with 15+ years of experience shaping innovation policy, regulatory strategy, and public impact across government, international institutions, and the tech sector. Recognised by POLITICO as one of the “14 people who matter in UK AI policy,” by Apolitical as one of the “World’s 50 Most Influential People Navigating Disruption,” and formerly a Fellow at the World Economic Forum. I bring experience at the sharpest edge of technology and regulation — leading transformative work on AI, online tracking, data governance and cross-border digital policy. At the ICO, I lead a 75-person division delivering strategic interventions that has raised industry compliance, influenced global standards, and secured voluntary change from the world’s largest platforms. At the World Economic Forum, I led international collaborations and authored the global framework that now underpins the OECD’s principles on tech regulation. In the UK Government, I authored the White Paper on regulation for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, launched the Regulators’ Pioneer Fund, and shaped multi-billion-pound reforms across infrastructure and digital sectors. I bring a strategic mindset, international perspective, and the ability to influence outcomes across sectors — whether shaping product decisions with global tech firms, building alignment among regulators, or advising Cabinet ministers on complex challenges. I thrive where innovation, regulation and impact meet — and where leadership is about navigating ambiguity, aligning interests, and delivering meaningful results.