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Newsletter - January 26
Data, Discipline, and Delight: We’re committed to our 2026 resolutions, are you?
Dear Data People
As cold, dark, damp January set in, Christmas quickly faded to a distant memory. Many of us kicked off the year with determined resolutions, yet the data tells us most would have been abandoned within the first week…
Not here! At DAMA UK we’re fired up and ready to deliver a more data-rich year than ever for you, our community - More high-value public and member-only webinars and in-person events. More thought-led articles and insights. More conference offerings and training opportunities. So dig in and let’s work together to face any challenges, embrace any opportunities, and make this an incredible year for our profession.
Happy New Year All!
Top Picks from the last few weeks
What Lies Ahead?
Data Governance is NOT an IT Project — It’s a Business Responsibility
Most companies still treat Data Governance like a technical activity owned by IT.
But here’s the truth 👇
If Data Governance sits only inside IT… the business will always suffer.
Because Governance is not about servers, databases, or tools. It’s about trust, accountability, and making better decisions.
💡So why is Data Governance a business topic?
Unstructured Data in 2026
Are we moving from the era of storing everything because it’s cheap to classifying everything because not doing so is too risky?
Judging by the prediction by Data Center Knowledge, that’s exactly what’s going to happen in 2026.
From reviewing their latest predictions for unstructured data management, the following ideas prevail:
What’s Killing Your Data Team
"There is nothing so permanent as a temporary solution."
I've seen this play out more times than I can count. 👇
Months ago, I watched someone from IT make a quick fix to a data model (directly in a report). I knew it should've been done at the source.
But there was no time. The stakeholder needed it NOW.
Now, six months later, that "temporary" fix is still there. Except now it is breaking other reports. Creating conflicting numbers. And guess who has to untangle the mess?
Not the person who made the fix.
They'd moved on.
Data Retention - Policy and Practice
Recent talk surrounding UK data retention policy confirms that while we have specific, legally mandated periods, the overriding principle remains. 👇
Personal data must be kept for 'no longer than is necessary,' as put by ComputerWeekly.com.
AND company policies must be justified and documented well.
But, in reality, it's not enough to simply document a policy. Accountability demands that the Storage Limitation principle is technically enforced across the entire data estate.
News
Mary Drabble in Interview
Listen in as Nicola Askham (AKA The Data Governance Coach) quizzes DAMA UK Chair, Mary Drabble on how and why the organisation remains relevant when AI increasingly impacts the data world. What is the relevance of DAMA in this AI world? - The Data Governance Podcast | Podcast on Spotify
Coming Soon… New member-only resources, including an updated glossary of terms and the Data Maturity Assessment. Watch this space!
Diary Dates
How to do Data Governance without getting overwhelmed - Nicola Askham
Many organisations struggle with Data Governance because they try to do too much, too soon. This practical webinar cuts through the complexity and shows you how to implement Data Governance that actually works.
Drawing on real consulting experience and insights from her new book Effective Data Governance (published by Kogan Page), Nicola will share a proven framework that helps organisations of any size move from overwhelmed to in control.
Click on image to register
Deep Dive into Working on MDM: What Happens Below the Surface
MDM is often discussed through frameworks, architectures, and target operating models, but the real challenges rarely sit on the surface.
This DAMA members-only session is a closed, practitioner-led conversation that explores what it’s actually like to work on Master Data Management. From data ownership conflicts and governance tensions to architectural trade-offs and people challenges, this session focuses on the realities that experienced practitioners encounter once MDM moves from theory to delivery.
Modern Data Community Event
Putting the spotlight on Data Foundations, the essential building blocks for trusted, high-quality data and AI readiness - Newcastle
Data Governance and AI Governance Conference Europe
IRM UK is pleased to announce that the agenda is now live for the 23rd Annual Data Governance and AI Governance Conference Europe, co-located with the Master Data Management Conference Europe, taking place in London from 23 to 27 March 2026. This five day event brings together leading voices from across the global data and AI community.
The conferences serve as the premier European forums for professionals working in data governance, AI governance, ethics, master data management, data quality and digital transformation. Delegates will gain practical insights from real-world case studies, strategic frameworks and hands-on learning sessions designed to support organisational data and AI maturity across all sectors.
Data Governance and AI Governance Conference
Master Data Management Conference Europe
Sponsors
Finally, we would like to say a HUGE thank you to our brilliant sponsors, who support DAMA UK on our mission to nurture a talented community of data professionals championing the value of data management across the UK.
