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Act Now is delighted to welcome Dr. Malkiat Thiarai to our team of associates.

Our associates play a vital role in delivering our mission: helping to create a more privacy-conscious world by educating IG professionals. At Act Now, we pride ourselves on providing training that is clear, practical, and jargon-free — making complex topics accessible and engaging.

Every one of our associates brings extensive real-world experience from the information governance sector. This expertise enriches our courses and ensures they remain relevant, insightful, and highly rated by our delegates. We are excited to have Dr. Thiarai join us in continuing this tradition of excellence.

Dr. Malkiat Thiarai has worked for Birmingham City Council for over 30 years and has led the information governance function for over 20 years. He is currently the Head of Practice – Corporate Information Management and part of the council’s Digital and Technology Services multi-disciplinary leadership team. His role encompasses the duties of the Data Protection Officer as well as other aspects of information governance. He helps to improve the management of council data assets and provide strategic and operational management of information management.

In 2021, Dr. Malkiat successfully completed a PhD in Urban Science from the University of Warwick. His research focussed on the understanding the challenges and capability of using personal data held within public sector organisations for research purposes and use the analysis to develop new models of service delivery that are focused on social care data whilst balancing the rights of the individual to privacy and a personal life. He has previously completed the LLM Information Rights and Law as well as an MBA in Public Service.

Dr. Malkiat will be developing new courses around his area of expertise and sitting on our curriculum and exam board. He will also be assisting our team to deliver everything from one-day workshops to advanced practitioner certificate courses.

Ibrahim Hasan, Director of Act Now Training, said:

“I am very pleased that Dr. Malkiat has joined our team. I have known Malkiat for over 25 years. I am confident that his strong academic background coupled with experience of working in IG for many years, he will be great contribution to our team developing innovative curricula to help foster a culture of responsible data usage, build public trust and drive positive change.”

Act Now Training is pleased to announce the launch of its updated GDPR Practitioner Certificate. This course has been running successfully for the past five years with excellent delegate reviews:

“The course was very useful as an IG Officer. The trainer was knowledgeable and explained some complex aspects of the legislation using interesting examples and real life scenarios. The course materials and handbook are invaluable and I know I will reuse them in conjunction with my usual resources.” NC, Lincolnshire County Council

“I would highly recommend this online course which was well structured and interactive. The course tutor was engaging and made a complex subject accessible. There was a good balance between understanding the legal framework and practical application. I learnt a great deal which will help me in my DPO role.” RS, London Councils

Key features of the new course include an updated course curriculum, new exercises and more emphasis on helping delegates develop key DPO skills.

Our Motivation

This revised course is part of our ongoing commitment to encourage and assist new talent in the IG profession. Through our involvement in NADPO and the IRMS over the past 20 years, Act Now has been  actively encouraging new entrants to the IG profession and providing quality training to assist in their learning and development. When the DP and IG Apprenticeship was launched last year, we became one of the first training companies to partner up with a leading apprenticeship provider to deliver specialist IG training and materials to apprentices. These have led to our partner, Damar, recruiting over 100 apprentices and helping them lay the foundations for a successful career in IG. 

Course Content

The course curriculum has been updated in the light of Act Now’s Skills and Competency Framework for DPOs. For the past three years we have been working on this framework, alongside industry experts and education professionals, by thoroughly analysing all the core skills and competencies required for the DPO role and how they map against our wider GDPR course curriculum.

Completing the course will enable delegates to gain a thorough understanding of the UK GDPR and develop the skills required to do their job with greater ease and confidence. In addition to the main course topics such as principles, rights and enforcement we have introduced new topics such as the ICO Accountability Framework. We also take time to consider the latest ICO enforcement action and the changes to the UK data protection regime proposed by the recently announced Data Protection and Digital Information Bill.

Completing the GDPR Practitioner Certificate will enable delegates to gain a thorough understanding of the UK GDPR. The course will help delegates interpret the data protection principles in a practical context, drafting privacy notices, undertaking DPIAs and reporting data breaches.

The course teaching style is based on four practical and engaging workshops covering theory alongside hands-on application using case studies that equip delegates with knowledge and skills that can be used immediately. Delegates will also have personal tutor support throughout the course and access to a comprehensive revised online resource lab.

The DPO Learning Pathway

The updated UK GDPR Practitioner Certificate is part of our learning pathway for Data Protection Officers. Once completed they can move on to the Intermediate Certificate in GDPR Practice where the emphasis is on skills, as well as advanced knowledge, with delegates covering more challenging topics to gain a deeper awareness of the fundamental data protection principles.  

Our premier certification is the Advanced Certificate in GDPR Practice, tailored for seasoned Data Protection Officers seeking to refine and expand their expertise. The course comprises a rigorous set of masterclasses that engage delegates in dissecting and interpreting intricate GDPR scenarios through compelling case studies. This immersive experience empowers participants with the skills and confidence needed to tackle even the most challenging Data Protection and Privacy scenarios they may encounter.

If you would like a chat to discuss your suitability for any of our certificate courses, please get in touch. 

Spring Offer: Get 10% off on all day courses and special discounts on GDPR certificates. Click on the link to find out more and take advantage of this limited time offer!