Fred Oberholzer

 As Group Data Protection Officer for Canon EMEA, I lead the organisation’s privacy and data protection strategy across more than 60 entities in over 30 countries.

My role centres on embedding privacy-by-design, ensuring compliance with evolving global frameworks, and enabling responsible innovation, particularly as artificial intelligence transforms the data landscape.

Working through a network of 40+ privacy champions, I combine regional oversight with local accountability to deliver effective governance, measurable risk reduction, and regulatory confidence. - I advise senior leadership on emerging regulatory developments, lead the integration of privacy into strategic decision-making, and ensure alignment with Canon’s broader compliance and ethical standards.

Beyond my corporate responsibilities, I am an active contributor to the wider privacy community as a speaker, mentor, and founder of an initiative dedicated to advancing privacy leadership. My current area of research is the evolving role of the DPO from compliance advocate to a trusted sales enabler.

I believe that data protection is not merely a regulatory obligation but a foundation for trust, reputation, and innovation.

Key areas of expertise:

Privacy Strategy | Governance, Risk & Compliance | Artificial Intelligence | Data Ethics | Privacy-by-Design | Regulatory Engagement | Leadership & Culture | EMEA Operations