2026-11 // Governing Data on Databricks: Unity Catalog, ABAC and Genie

The Databricks Nottingham Meetup is getting started, and we'd love to see you there. Join us for a friendly, in-person evening of data, AI and good conversation. This is the very first meetup, so come and meet the people building with Databricks in Nottingham.

We're kicking things off with Ed Ball from Oakbrook Finance, who'll show how a regulated lender governs its data on Databricks and then opens it up to more people. A second talk is still to come, and there's a break for pizza and refreshmebts in the middle.

Governing Data on Databricks: Unity Catalog, ABAC and Genie
Ed Ball, Oakbrook Finance

Databricks makes it easy to move fast with data, but governing it without slowing people down is harder. This talk shows how Oakbrook Finance, a regulated lender, uses Unity Catalog and attribute-based access controls to apply policy consistently, and how that foundation lets us open up data to far more people through Genie. Expect practical lessons on what worked and what didn't, whatever the size of your team or industry.

About Ed
Ed Ball is Head of Data, Security & Service Management at Oakbrook Finance, where he leads data, security and service delivery. He has a background in software, data and security leadership and has been a Data Protection Officer in financial services since 2018. He holds CIPP/E and CIPM certifications from the IAPP and has spoken at Big Data London (2025).

Second talk
To be announced soon.

Places are limited, so please RSVP on the Meetup page. All experience levels are welcome, from the data team to the business and governance side.

Proudly sponsored by DATAPAO.
Thanks to The Poynt for hosting.