Dr Ben Thompson
Ben Thompson is an AI governance and data privacy specialist with over 20 years of experience spanning education, technology, and organisational development. He founded Ben Thompson Consulting to help organisations navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of AI regulation, data protection, and responsible AI adoption.
With a Doctorate in Education (Leadership and Management), a Master of Education (Leadership and Management), an MBA, and certifications including CIPP/E, CIPM, and ISO/IEC 42001 Lead Auditor and Lead Implementer, Ben brings a unique combination of technical understanding, data privacy expertise, business acumen, and knowledge of how people and organisations learn and change.
Ben serves as Data Protection Officer for The Cyber Helpline, a national charity providing free expert help to victims of cybercrime, giving him hands-on, current experience of data protection challenges at the frontline of cybersecurity. He is a member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) and sits on the Advisory Board for AI Certs, helping shape the direction of AI professional certification globally.
As an accredited instructor for AI Certs and TRECCERT, Ben delivers training across more than 25+ AI professional certification programmes, including ISO/IEC 42001 at Practitioner, Lead Implementer, and Lead Auditor levels. His teaching approach is grounded in making complex regulatory and technical concepts accessible and actionable, backed by doctorate-level research in how adults learn most effectively.
Our Approach
“The purpose of this Regulation is to promote the uptake of human-centric and trustworthy artificial intelligence while ensuring a high level of protection of health, safety, and fundamental rights.” – EU AI Act (2024) Recital 1
Too many organisations treat AI governance as either a tick-box exercise or an insurmountable barrier. Ben’s approach sits firmly in the middle: rigorous enough to satisfy regulators and auditors, practical enough to actually be implemented and maintained by real teams with real resource constraints.
Every engagement starts with understanding where the organisation actually is, not where a framework says they should be. From there, we build a realistic, prioritised path forward that the organisation can own and sustain independently.
Credentials & Certifications
- Doctorate in Education (EdD) — Leadership and Management
- Master of Education (MEd) — Leadership and Management
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- ISO/IEC 42001 Lead Auditor — AI Management Systems
- ISO/IEC 42001 Lead Implementer — AI Management Systems
- CIPP/E — Certified Information Privacy Professional/Europe (IAPP)
- CIPM — Certified Information Privacy Manager (IAPP)
- CompTIA Security+ — Cybersecurity
- CCSK — Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CSA)
- Certified Instructor — AI Certs (25+ AI Professional Certification Programmes)
- Certified Instructor — TRECCERT (ISO/IEC 42001 Practitioner, Lead Implementer, Lead Auditor)
- Advisory Board Member — AI Certs
- Data Protection Officer — The Cyber Helpline
- International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) Member
- 20+ years experience in education, technology, and governance
Ready to get your AI journey right?
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