Five Minute Focus On: Orlagh Kelly, Briefed
Tell us about Briefed
After 12 years as a practising barrister, I set up Briefed – GDPR Compliance Legal Consultancy in 2014 to help businesses manage their data protection compliance requirements. When the GDPR deadline was announced, I encountered a lot of worry and uncertainty from businesses who were unsure of what GDPR meant for them, and how they could be compliant. From there, I further developed Briefed to focus solely on providing advice and training to businesses to become compliant with GDPR. This has led to creating our online training courses, travelling across the UK and Ireland to deliver training and seminars, and most recently teaching a series of Masterclasses on marketing under GDPR.
What’s your role in Briefed?
As Founder and Managing Director I am primarily responsible for leading the organisation and looking for opportunities to expand our product offering, and brand awareness. However I do get to wear my barrister ‘hat’ every now and again as we advise companies on how to manage data breaches.
Tell us something about Briefed we may not know
Each member of Briefed has an extensive background in the legal sector. I was a barrister for 12 years, running my own legal practice and representing almost 2,000 clients in court cases. Caroline has been a Solicitor for 15 years in Northern Ireland and England , and has extensive knowledge in GDPR and data protection, while Victoria was a senior legal secretary for 12 years.
What’s next for Briefed?
We have recently expanded into the US, advising Silicon Valley tech companies on how to meet and manage GDPR requirements. So hopefully an office trip to California is on the cards!
Locally we are focused on assisting clients with advice on GDPR and Brexit. Brexit is going to have a huge impact on GDPR and the transfer of data between the UK and the EU, and the implications are significant. The deadline for a Brexit Deal is fast approaching, and more businesses are contacting us each day for advice. We are in a partnership with InterTrade Ireland and their ‘Start to Plan’ Support Scheme, which gives qualifying businesses funding of up to £2,000 for our specialist advice.
What do you like about being a Glandore Member?
From day one the Glandore Team have been welcoming and friendly, and altogether fantastic to deal with. In particular the networking opportunities and the events hosted by the Glandore Team have been excellent. Many coffees and catch-ups have been had in the 5th Floor Terrace.
What’s your favourite thing about working in Belfast?
Belfast is such an up-and-coming city – not only the burgeoning tourism industry, but the increasing number of locally owned businesses. There’s always something new to see, or a new bakery to visit, or a new coffee shop that needs trying – it’s great being so central to everything!
Friday nights in or Friday nights out?
Since I had my first child in May, Friday nights are now usually for staying in; but I wouldn’t say no to a night out as long as I can have a glass of wine!