Privacy
Data privacy has evolved into a broader question of data trust—shaping how organisations use data responsibly, transparently, and with confidence in an increasingly AI‑driven market. For in‑house teams, this means moving beyond regulation to embed governance that underpins innovation, risk management, and long‑term value.
At Adamsons, we work with leading organisations to appoint senior privacy leaders who operate at this level—combining technical expertise with the judgement to guide the business through complex, global data and regulatory challenges.
What we deliver
We help appoint senior privacy leaders who elevate privacy from regulatory requirement to strategic capability—supporting responsible innovation, resilient governance, and trusted data use across the enterprise.
Focus areas
Senior leadership: Chief Privacy Officer, Chief Data Trust Officer, Global Head of Privacy, Global Head of Digital, Privacy and AI
Specialist leadership: Heads of AI Governance, Data Protection Officers, Regional Privacy leadership
Embedded expertise: Cybersecurity, technology law, HR privacy, and privacy by design—embedding capability within R&D, product, and technology teams to deliver the greatest strategic impact
Who We serve
Fast‑growing, private‑equity‑backed businesses
Established multinationals across commerce and industry
Sector focus: pharmaceuticals, healthcare and medical devices, manufacturing, defence, automotive, consumer goods, aerospace, and technology
Organisations operating in complex, highly regulated global markets where privacy and data trust are central to strategy and growth
We partner on privacy operating model and team design—clarifying mandate, interfaces, and accountability—so structures align with industry, risk profile, and ownership expectations.
What sets us apart
Access and Reach Our global networks—built over decades—enable access to senior, often passive, in‑house privacy leaders with experience in complex, regulated, or high‑scrutiny environments. We provide comparative insight across jurisdictions so appointments reflect market reality, not local availability.
Sector Insight
We work across highly regulated and risk‑sensitive sectors, allowing us to assess privacy leadership against real operational, regulatory, and enforcement pressures and to advise on role design aligned to business strategy and ownership expectations.
Rigorous, Partner‑Led Methodology Our approach is deliberately rigorous and Partner‑led. Candidates are assessed for judgment, independence, influence, and technical capability. For cross‑border or sensitive assignments, we tailor structure and timelines and provide evidence‑based market insight. Every search follows a two‑stage process: an initial assessment by our research team and an in‑depth Partner interview—ensuring hands‑on, non‑delegated delivery.
Beyond the Immediate Hire We advise on team design, succession risk, and future leadership needs, with coaching support to help leaders realise their potential. Each appointment is made with the wider function and long‑term strategy in mind—strengthening leadership pipelines and building teams that evolve with the business.
Global reach
We execute in‑house privacy searches worldwide and adapt our methodology to mandate complexity. For cross‑border, multi‑jurisdictional, or sensitive searches, we flex timelines, deploy dedicated project teams, and, where appropriate, involve additional senior expertise, including our Chair (a former listed‑company General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer). This ensures we manage complexity while maintaining consistency, rigour, and quality across markets.
Victoria van der Vaart – Partner
Victoria has specialised in senior privacy appointments since 2016, with extensive experience building and scaling global privacy functions across complex international organisations. She has advised on the design and build-out of enterprise privacy teams in both B2B and B2C environments, supporting organisations as privacy has evolved from a regulatory requirement into a strategic capability.
Based in Europe and operating globally, Victoria has led privacy searches across the United States, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific, including China and Japan. She advises clients on privacy function design across legal and compliance models, recognising that structure, independence, and privilege requirements vary by industry and risk profile.
Victoria is proven at identifying privacy leaders who move beyond operational data protection to connect privacy, digital, and AI strategy. Her work spans AI governance, privacy by design, product and R&D integration, cyber and security support for CISO functions, and enterprise-wide privacy leadership within HR. She also brings niche experience across healthcare, pharmaceuticals, genetics, manufacturing, and heavy industry, enabling her to assess privacy talent with real-world context across cultures, technologies, and regulatory regimes.
