Francesca Blythe

FRANCESCA BLYTHE advises international clients on a wide range of privacy, cybersecurity, data protection, artificial intelligence, and emerging technology issues. With in-depth experience across multiple industries, including technology, asset management and private equity, payments, retail, e-commerce, and manufacturing, Francesca helps organizations navigate complex regulatory frameworks, manage data breach incidents, and implement robust compliance strategies. Francesca has a particular focus on life sciences, where she advises on a broad range of issues in relation to clinical studies, secondary research, digital health, and use of novel technologies. Francesca co-leads Sidley’s benchmarking group for in-house data privacy professionals (dplegal) in the life sciences sector. Her ability to address the rapidly evolving landscape of data privacy, AI, and cybersecurity law enables her to provide strategic, forward-thinking solutions tailored to each client’s needs.

Francesca was previously in-house counsel at the largest international health and beauty retailer in Asia and Europe. While there, she regularly gave advice on compliance and strategies relating to data protection laws and assisted in the planning and delivery of a global privacy compliance project.

Francesca has received acknowledgment from numerous industry ranking guides:

• Legal 500 UK 2026 — Recommended for Data Protection, Privacy, and Cybersecurity, where testimonials describe Francesca as having “exceptional expertise in data protection and cybersecurity” with “her innovative problem- solving techniques help her to deliver unique solutions to complex challenges.” Clients also noted that “it is always a pleasure instructing Francesca Blythe, as I know she will understand exactly what I am asking for.”
• Chambers UK 2026 — Ranked for Data Protection and Information Law, where clients commended Francesca for her “high level of sophistication in her legal reasoning and strategic approach,” and highlight her “in-depth understanding of complex legal issues.” She is also described as “wonderful to work with.”
  
• Chambers UK 2025 — Ranked for Data Protection and Information Law where clients comment that “Francesca is a talented lawyer who can handle everything from your routine to your sophisticated data privacy matters. She is good at adapting to the needs of your company” and that she “…is a highly engaged, responsive, and practically minded adviser.”
• Legal 500 UK 2025 — Recommended for Data Protection, Privacy and Cybersecurity, where clients say that “Francesca Blythe is able to understand our business quickly, apply the relevant data privacy laws to our situation, and provide legal advice on a risk-based approach. She is personable and professional. She is always managing my expectations and keeps me updated if working on a longer project.”
• Women in Business Law EMEA Awards 2024 — Won the “Privacy & Data Protection Lawyer of the Year” award.
• Chambers UK 2024 — Named as “Up and Coming” for Data Protection and Information Law, where sources note that “When it comes to privacy advice, Francesca stands out to me as a knowledgeable and practical counsel.”
• Legal 500 UK 2024 — Recognized for Data Protection, Privacy and Cybersecurity, where clients comment that “Francesca Blythe is extremely commercially minded and pragmatic. Her advice is already ‘ready to use’ and I don’t need to spend more time digesting what she says.”
• Who’s Who Legal 2024 — Ranked as a Thought Leader for Data Privacy and Protection and Data Security and as Global Leader for Data Privacy and Protection, Data Security, and Information Technology.
• Women in Business Law EMEA Awards 2022 — Won the “Rising Star — Corporate” award.
• Law.com International’s 2022 — Included on the “Rising Stars: The UK’s Best Up and Coming Female Lawyers” list. The annual feature highlights the “25 women aged under 40 paving ways in the UK legal industry as the next generation of female legal powerhouses.”

Recent examples of Francesca’s work include advising:

Life Sciences

• A multi-national pharmaceutical company to conduct a comprehensive review and strategic assessment of multiple high-impact AI use-case requests.
• A multi-national consumer healthcare company on a global privacy transformation project, streamlining its AI governance programs, responding to a cybersecurity incident, and assistance with cross-border transfers.
• A global medical device and healthcare company on the application and interpretation of new EU digital data laws with a particular focus on the Data Act, AI Act, and NISD2.
• A global drug manufacturer on its post-transaction privacy compliance integration activities, including the responsible deployment of AI.
• A global pharmaceutical company on a range of data privacy issues related to clinical trial activities, including the privacy and regulatory implications for the cross-validation of data sets.
• A multi-national pharmaceutical and medical technologies company on a comprehensive assessment focused on identifying alignment between the provisions of the EU AI Act and existing regulatory obligations, including those under the GDPR.
• An international pharmaceutical company on the impact on the use of AI for patient recruitment activities and the management of a multi-jurisdictional Informed Consent Form review.
• A leading medical device manufacturer on cybersecurity breach response, including breach remediation and notices to individuals and regulators.

Financial Services and Payments 

• Advising a global payment company on matters related to cybersecurity, privacy and data protection regulatory and contractual matters, including in relation to cross-border data flows.
• One of the world’s leading payments technology companies on certain complex EU/UK privacy requirements in the context of various new product offerings.
• An innovative technology-driven payment platform on the use of facial recognition technologies and cross-border data flows.
• A private equity firm on the use of novel technologies in the context of employee monitoring activities.
• A global real estate investment advisor on compliance with the GDPR, including the review, development, and implementation of a multi-jurisdictional privacy compliance program.

Technology, Manufacturing, and Retail

• Life360 on the EU data privacy and cybersecurity aspects of its acquisition of Nativo, a leading advertising technology company.
• A cybersecurity company with a Binding Corporate Rules project, advice on the application of DORA, and a comprehensive assessment of international cyber incident reporting obligations.
• An international retail and consumer goods company on GDPR and AI governance issues, with a particular focus on privacy impact assessments.
• A global manufacturing company on issues arising following a business-wide cybersecurity incident, including requirements around responding to regulators and subsequent remediation activities.
• A large public manufacturing company on global privacy and data protection compliance, cybersecurity readiness and response, and novel questions of data analytics and de-identification.

Transactions

Advising on privacy-related matters in relation to:

• SINGU, a leading European provider of commercial real estate management software, on the strategic investment by K1 Investment Management, LLC, and combination with Micad.
• Stellex Capital Management LLC, a leading private equity firm, on its agreement to acquire the environmental technology business of Dürr Group, a global mechanical and plant engineering firm headquartered in Germany.
• Great Hill Partners on its strategic majority investment in Peter Park System GmbH, a Munich-based technology company redefining off-street urban parking with a fully digital, frictionless platform.
• STORY3 Capital Partners, the Los Angeles-based private equity firm, on its significant minority investment in Adanola, a leading UK-based athleisure and activewear brand.

• Co-lead of WIP, an international networking group for women data protection and privacy professionals.
• Member of IAPP (International Association of Privacy Professionals).