Privacy as a Strategic Enabler

Your organization’s data—the lifeblood for driving innovation and customer value—increasingly contains information about people and is subjected to a complex, global landscape of evolving privacy regulations. Basic check-the-box compliance is no longer enough; leveraging information while meeting data subject and regulator expectations demands a higher standard.

I specialize in transforming privacy compliance risk into a competitive advantage. Drawing on my experience as a former Chief Privacy Officer at Wells Fargo and KPMG, I bring deep, hands-on expertise to your business.

My mandate as an Advisor is simple: help design and operationalize risk-optimized, right-sized Privacy programs that effectively balance rigorous regulatory demands with commercial agility. We don’t just achieve compliance; we secure trust and embed data ethics directly into your operating model.

My approach centers on four strategic pillars to achieve these outcomes:

  • Strategic Alignment: Fully integrating the privacy function with existing Legal, Compliance, and IT governance structures.
  • Resilient Foundation: Establishing core operational prerequisites, including comprehensive data inventory, streamlined processes, and auditable controls.
  • Stakeholder Partnership: Fostering direct collaboration across Information Users, IT, and Security to simplify and optimize operations.
  • Technology Leverage: Maximizing resource efficiency and regulatory adaptability by strategically automating compliance functions.

This holistic approach transforms Privacy from a regulatory burden into a strategic enabler for the business.

Please see my blog for articles and thought-leadership pieces on topics related to privacy and information management, and see my CV here.

About James…

JH picture

As the former Global Chief Privacy Officer for Wells Fargo and the former partner serving as Chief Privacy Officer and Chief Data Officer at KPMG, I don’t just manage risk — I architect advantage.

In my roles, I built and operated world-class Privacy Programs and Information Management Offices, strategically leveraging cognitive computing and intelligent automation to drive transformation. I was accountable for deploying the processes and controls necessary for complex, global information handling, enabling aggressive data use while providing protection and compliance. I possess unique, hard-won expertise in unleashing data value while relentlessly protecting ‘crown jewels’ for the world’s most influential financial and professional services institutions.

I have a proven track record serving global clients across financial services, health insurance, consumer and industrial markets, bringing a holistic, cross-sector perspective to privacy excellence.