3. Chamberlink May 51-72.qxp_Chamberlink 29/04/2021 09:45 Page 58
Sector Focus
Technology
Data protection expert joins Gateley as partner New tech to help golfers The famous Belfry Hotel best known for hosting the Ryder Cup - has introduced a new range of technology to help golfers with their practice sessions. The North Warwickshire hotel is now offering golfers the chance to use its ‘Toptracer’ practice tool at its newly refurbished academy. Toptracer, owned by Topgolf, uses video monitors in driving range bays, which are connected to cameras that track the flight of a ball and replicate it on a screen. Anyone hitting a drive will also see a range of statistics about the shot, telling them how good (or bad) it was, including distance, speed, launch angle and shape.
Gateley Legal has appointed Toni Vitale as a partner in its commerce, media, and technology team. Mr Vitale will provide clients with effective solutions on how to navigate data protection and privacy regulations, comply with rules and avoid and protect themselves from data breaches. Mr Vitale has joined from JWM Solicitors, where he headed up their data protection team. He has also led data protection and information teams at Addleshaw Goddard and Winckworth Sherwood. During his 30-year career as a technology, IT and digital media lawyer, Mr Vitale has advised clients across a wide range of data protection issues, including privacy, regulations, compliance, GDPR, net neutrality, cyber security and reputation management.
‘His skills, knowledge and expertise are something that more and more of our clients are looking for’ He said: “I was attracted to the role at Gateley Legal because the business is going from strength-to-strength and has a very impressive, broad client base – all
of whom have data protection and cyber needs. “The group already has a strong data protection and reputation management team in place, but I want to collaborate with the Gateley Legal team to build on this even further. I look forward to playing an instrumental role in growing this part of the practice both regionally and nationally.” Gateley Legal partner Paul Hayward said: “We’re really excited to welcome Toni and think he will add real value to the business and our clients. “His skills, knowledge and expertise are something that more and more of our clients are looking for, as data and cyber breaches become increasingly common.” Gateley Legal has expanded its data protection team over the last few years in line with the introduction of significant changes to UK data privacy laws. The team advises a broad range of clients on data protection compliance, risks associated with data breaches, privacy, sharing agreements and more.
‘We can’t wait to start welcoming everyone back to the resort’ The Belfry says the system can be used by anyone, from beginners to frequent players. It can be used for serious practice purposes, or simply for fun, as it can also be used to play various games, such as ‘Approach Shot Challenge’, where golfers can hit their best approach shot on nine different virtual golf holes, suitable for golfers and competitors. Belfry Resorts general manager Chris Eigelaar said: “Toptracer Range transforms The Belfry into a sports entertainment destination, enhancing our golf technology offering and adding to our already top-class facilities. “We can’t wait to start welcoming everyone back to the resort to experience our exciting new additions.” The refurbished academy also has a new bar area, as well as a 34-bay floodlit driving range, putting green and short game area.
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Data protection expert: Toni Vitale
Events centre develops video conferencing solutions A conference and events centre has come up with some new solutions for virtual business meetings, after learning of some of the problems that the long-running pandemic has caused. The events centre is Corporation Street-based Etc.venues, which says that among the issues plaguing business meetings taking place online are muted mics, frozen computer screens and awkward silences during virtual meetings. To combat this, the business has come up with several solutions, including ‘Room in a Box’, which is a video conferencing solution which brings a small group together so they can collaborate easily, even if some attendees can’t be in the room.
The second is an event platform, the result of a partnership with event software provider, Glisser. This brings larger in-person and remote groups together through interactive polls, quizzes and social feeds. The third, developed with Encore, is a purposebuilt virtual stage that uses green screen technology to create an immersive experience for audiences. Declan Cassidy, director of sales at Etc.venues, said: “After speaking with a number of clients over the past 12-months, we realised that there’s a lot of dissatisfaction and confusion in this space so we made it our mission to ensure hybrid meetings are as easy as one, two, three.”
