techUK to visit Washington D.C. for Strategic Engagement
Showcasing our commitment to bolstering transatlantic technology relations, techUK's CEO, Julian David, and Associate Director for International Policy and Trade, Sabina Ciofu, are scheduled to visit Washington D.C. from 3 to 5 June, 2024. The visit aims to foster dialogue and collaboration with key U.S. administration officials, members of Congress, influential stakeholders, and techUK member companies.
Agenda Highlights
The visit underscores techUK's commitment to enhancing international cooperation on tech policy, trade, and innovation. Over the three-day visit, Julian David and Sabina Ciofu will engage in a series of high-level meetings and discussions to address critical issues affecting the technology sector. The agenda includes:
- Meetings with U.S. Administration Officials: Discussions with the Department of Commerce, State Department, and the National Security Council at the White House will focus on regulatory cooperation, digital trade, cooperation in cyber, defence and AI safety.
- Engagement with Congress: techUK will meet with key members of Congress to discuss the legislative landscape for technology and innovation. Topics such as data flows and data protection as well as artificial intelligence regulation will be high on the agenda. These engagements are crucial for understanding the evolving regulatory environment and advocating for policies that foster growth and cooperation.
- Discussions with other stakeholders: techUK will also hold conversations with think tanks, industry groups and other organisations. These sessions will explore shared challenges and opportunities in the tech sector, emphasizing the importance of a united approach to global tech governance.
- Member Companies: techUK will also meet several US-based member companies to discuss priorities, support and cooperation, ensuring our advocacy efforts are well-informed and effective.
Strengthening Bilateral Tech Ties
This visit reflects techUK’s commitment and proactive approach to international policy cooperation and trade. By engaging directly with policymakers and industry leaders, techUK aims to ensure that the interests of UK tech companies are well-represented and that bilateral relations continue to thrive in an increasingly complex world.
Julian David, CEO of techUK, said, “Our visit to Washington D.C. is an important opportunity to deepen our engagement with U.S. counterparts. By collaborating on key policy issues and sharing best practices, we can drive innovation and ensure that the tech sector continues to be a powerful engine of growth and prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic.”
Sabina Ciofu, Associate Director for International Policy and Trade, added, “In a rapidly evolving global tech landscape, it is essential to build strong international partnerships. Our meetings in Washington will help align our efforts on critical issues such as digital trade and regulatory standards, benefiting both our members and the wider tech community.”
Members companies who would like to find out more about this engagement or the broader international agenda can reach out to [email protected].
Sabina Ciofu
Sabina Ciofu
Sabina Ciofu is Associate Director – International, running the International Policy and Trade Programme at techUK.
Based in Brussels, she leads our EU policy and engagement. She is also our lead on international trade policy, with a focus on digital trade chapter in FTAs, regulatory cooperation as well as broader engagement with the G7, G20, WTO and OECD.
As a transatlanticist at heart, Sabina is a GMF Marshall Memorial fellow and issue-lead on the EU-US Trade and Technology Council, within DigitalEurope.
Previously, she worked as Policy Advisor to a Member of the European Parliament for almost a decade, where she specialised in tech regulation, international trade and EU-US relations.
Sabina loves building communities and bringing people together. She is the founder of the Gentlewomen’s Club and co-organiser of the Young Professionals in Digital Policy. Previously, as a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community, she led several youth civic engagement and gender equality projects.
She sits on the Advisory Board of the University College London European Institute, Café Transatlantique, a network of women in transatlantic technology policy and The Nine, Brussels’ first members-only club designed for women.
Sabina holds an MA in War Studies from King’s College London and a BA in Classics from the University of Cambridge.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- +32 473 323 280
- Website:
- www.techuk.org
Julian David
Julian David
Julian David is the CEO of techUK, the leading technology trade association that aims to realise the positive outcomes that digital technology can achieve for people, society, the economy and the planet.
Julian led the transformation of techUK from its predecessor Intellect in 2014, putting an increased focus on the growth and jobs the technology industry offers in a global economy. He has since led its impressive expansion driving forward the tech agenda in key areas such as skills, innovation, business success and public sector transformation. He leads techUK’s 90-strong team representing a thousand British based tech companies, comprising global and national champions and 600 SMEs. In 2020, techUK joined forces with TechSkills, the employer-led organisation that aims to improve the flow of talent into the digital workforce and open up access for all to high value tech jobs.
Julian represents techUK on a number of external bodies including the Digital Economy Council, the National Cyber Security Advisory Council and the Department of Business and Trade’s Strategic Trade Advisory Group. He is member of the NTA Advisory Board of DIGITALEUROPE and is a member of the Board of the Health Innovation Network the South London Academic Health Science Network.
Julian has over thirty years of experience in the technology industry. Prior to joining techUK, he had a series of leadership roles at IBM including Vice President for Small and Medium Business and Public Sector. After leaving IBM he worked as a consultant helping tech SMEs establish successful operations in the U.K. His personal interests include Football (West Ham, Balham FC and Real Madrid) and Art.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Twitter:
- @techUKCEO