![Pinsent Masons](https://theodi.cdn.ngo/media/images/PM.2e16d0ba.fill-1110x452.jpg)
International law firm, Pinsent Masons, has joined the our Commercial Partnership Programme. The legal firm joins existing partners Arup, Co-op, Deutsche Bank, and Refinitiv: a peer group of forward-thinking organisations who share a common vision of a collaborative and open future
The partnership will build on Pinsent Masons’ work alongside the ODI and Office for AI on the pioneering data trusts pilot projects earlier this year where they advised on the legal and governance aspects of establishing data trusts to reduce the illegal wildlife trade and global food waste. Pinsent Masons will now work with us to explore the next stage in the evolution of data trusts.
We define a data trust as ‘a legal structure that provides independent stewardship of data’. Each pilot project explored the concept of how data trusts can harness the power of data access from organisations that have data, to those that can use the data, in tackling major global challenges.
David Beardmore, Commercial Director at the ODI said:
‘We’re delighted that Pinsent Masons is joining our commercial partnership programme. As we explore different models of data access, including data trusts, it is essential that we can draw on expertise to unpick the legal complexities - working with prestigious law firms that understand these issues is really beneficial.’
‘It’s important that our partnership programme includes organisations from a range of industry sectors - this allows them and us to better understand the opportunities and challenges posed by data sharing today.’
Andrew McMillan, TMT Partner at Pinsent Masons said:
‘We are looking forward to being part of the ODI's Commercial Partnership Programme and working with organisations across a range of sectors on how we can collaboratively create an open future where data is an asset and enabler for progressive change.
‘Working with the ODI this year on the pilot data trust projects was a fantastic opportunity to build on the work we had previously done exploring the use of data trusts. We were able to apply the expertise of our lawyers to work towards the creation of a trusted data sharing framework. Through this programme, we hope to continue our work in this area and begin to tackle major global challenges, such as food waste.