Smart Data Group appoints Dr Ruth Wandhöfer as mobilisation lead

Smart Data Group (SDG) has appointed Dr. Ruth Wandhöfer as independent mobilisation lead as the ecosystem prepares for the next phase of Open Banking and the development of a Smart Data economy.

In her role, she will support industry-led engagement on the proposed Open Banking Future Entity (FE), working independently to “listen to and reflect views from across the ecosystem”.

SDG is an independent industry body which has been established to design and coordinate delivery frameworks for Smart Data across regulated sectors in the UK.

In 2025, it incorporated Smart Data Services (SDS), a not-for-profit company, to operate as the potential Future Entity (FE) under the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA’s) Long-Term Regulatory Framework for Open Banking.

Dr Ruth Wandhöfer

Should SDG receive industry backing to take this work forward, Dr Wandhöfer would then support the final design and mobilisation of the FE, “ensuring it is robust, future-ready and capable of supporting Open Banking”, while laying the foundations for a broader, cross-sector Smart Data infrastructure aligned with the UK’s Data (Use and Access) Act.

Dr Wandhöfer will be supported by an independent external secretariat to ensure a transparent, inclusive and well-governed process, SDG said.

In her new role, she will focus on engaging banks, fintechs, payments firms and consumer groups to turn policy into an operating model that works commercially and at scale.

“I’m excited to support the Open Banking community as it looks to move into the next phase of design and mobilisation,” said Dr Wandhöfer.

“There is a real opportunity to shape a Future Entity that will be instrumental in building the secure future data highway for the UK economy and thus deliver meaningful value for both businesses and consumers. I look forward to working with all stakeholders across the broader ecosystem of our economy to help realise a resilient data economy across all industries.”

Dr Wandhöfer has more than 20 years of experience across global banking, payments, regulation, governance and cybersecurity.

Clare Ambrosino, co-founder, Smart Data Group

Clare Ambrosino, co-founder of Smart Data Group, said: “Ruth brings exceptional expertise at the intersection of industry, regulation and digital finance.”

Ambrosino called her appointment “an important milestone as the market looks to move toward concrete decisions on the Future Entity”.

At the same time, SDG announced the publication of an updated blueprint that sets out a “clear mobilisation pathway” for the FE in response to industry feedback, and outlining how governance, funding, and implementation decisions could be taken on an industry-led basis.

Richard Newman, co-founder of Smart Data Group, added: “Our revised Blueprint and mobilisation proposal reflect the breadth of insight we have gathered across the ecosystem.

“With Ruth independently leading SDG’s mobilisation planning and with industry endorsement for our approach, we are well positioned to support industry-led decision-making on the Future Entity’s final design and implementation.”

Further reading: It’s time to unlock the Smart Data dividend – with urgency and direction