Speakers

Hayley is the Senior Director for Consumer Protection at the CMA, responsible for its consumer enforcement work and introduction of its new enforcement powers under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCCA). She was previously a Director working across the CMA's enforcement and markets tools, including its recent work on AI Foundation Models. 

Prior to joining the CMA, Hayley worked at a number of regulators, including the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Ofcom and the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). Hayley holds an MSc in Regulation from the London School of Economics.

Dr. Sarah Wei is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at Warwick Business School. Her research focuses on consumer judgment and decision-making, particularly how digital technologies such as AI, recommendation systems, and online platforms reshape the way consumers interpret information and make choices. Her work also examines moral decision-making in marketplace contexts and explores how firms can design digital environments that better protect consumer welfare and well-being.

Dan Smith, Head of Advertising (UK) at Gowling WLG, advises global brand owners on clients on marketing clearance, sponsorship and influencer deals, agency agreements, consumer law and best practice on issues such as generative AI, brand safety and data protection. He helps manage creative, legal and reputational risk, resolves advertising disputes and regulatory investigations, and challenges competitor campaigns to protect market share.

Known for his industry insight and clear, practical guidance under pressure, Dan is a trusted adviser on advertising, marketing, sponsorship and media matters. Over his 25 years at the firm, he has worked on major creative projects across retail, climate and the green transition, automotive and electric vehicles, and global sporting events including the London Olympic Games and Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

Michael is a Senior Research Officer in the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) in the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), responsible for scoping and delivering social research and monitoring and evaluation work across priority policy areas in OPSS. His current work includes monitoring and evaluation of OPSS' online marketplaces regulatory work. 

Prior to joining OPSS, Michael lead social research, behavioural science and monitoring and evaluation projects across several other teams in DBT and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Previous work has included research related to company law and governance legislation, export promotion, and various business support schemes.