AI Governance Lawyer and AI Trainer

I help businesses and boards make better decisions about AI.

Richard Nicholas is a UK technology lawyer, AI governance adviser and practical AI trainer, and a partner at Browne Jacobson. He is the founder of Skilldiligence, which provides AI training and governance support for in-house legal teams, boards and businesses across the UK.

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Hear from past clients

IAPP AI Governance Professional (AIGP)
CIPP(E) — Certified Information Privacy Professional
Partner, Browne Jacobson LLP
Over 25 years' experience in technology law · AI since 2015
Member, CBI AI Advisory Group

About

Over 25 years of technology law. AI-focused since 2015.

I'm a technology law partner with over 25 years' experience advising boards and executive teams on the deals, governance questions, and regulatory challenges that come with buying, building, and deploying technology, including work involving AI since 2015.

I work with general counsel, CFOs, and board-level leaders — helping them cut through the noise and make decisions they can defend. Through Skilldiligence, the AI training and governance business I founded, I also run in-depth AI training programmes that give teams practical capability, not just awareness.

My focus is translating technical and regulatory complexity into clear answers. Not theoretical frameworks — workable positions that hold up in the boardroom and the contract negotiation.

"A pragmatic lawyer who always does a good job for his clients."

— Chambers & Partners

Recognised as a leading expert in technology law.

— Legal 500

Holds both the IAPP AI Governance Professional (AIGP) and CIPP/E qualifications — covering AI governance and data privacy.

25+

Years' experience in technology law, including work involving AI since 2015

£4bn

Value of technology and outsourcing transactions advised on across the career

BBC

Media contributor including BBC Radio 4, alongside regular conference speaking

L500

Recognised as a leading expert in technology law by both Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners

CBI

Member of the CBI AI Advisory Group and Browne Jacobson's AI Advisory Group

What I do

Three ways to work together

Whether you need independent board-level counsel, a consulting engagement, or hands-on AI training for your team — this is where I can help.

01 / Board & Advisory

Independent AI counsel for boards

Strategic, independent perspective on AI governance, risk, and opportunity. Suited to organisations that need a non-executive voice with deep technology law expertise — not just a generalist.

AI risk and governance at board level
EU AI Act and regulatory readiness
NED and advisory board appointments
Technology strategy and oversight
Cyber and data governance

Send an NED enquiry Book a call

02 / Consulting

AI governance and technology law

I work with in-house legal teams and businesses on AI governance frameworks, technology contracts, data protection, and practical AI adoption. Engagements range from one-day workshops to retained advisory.

AI governance frameworks
Technology procurement and contracts
Data protection and UK GDPR
Strategic outsourcing and M&A
AI readiness reviews

Contact me at my firm Book a call

03 / Training

AI transformation training

Through interactive workshops I show individuals and teams how to get real work done safely using AI, through the use of workflows, agents and orchestrations using foundation tools (see Training below).

AI training for boards and teams
Using and maintaining agents
Strategic use of data and business intelligence
Practical use cases using existing AI (MS Copilot / Claude / Codex / Gemini)
Unique to every delegate, whether in sales, operations, HR, legal or otherwise

Send an email Book a call

AI Training Workshops

Hands-on AI training. No coding required.

Most AI training leaves people with awareness but not capability. My workshops are different — participants leave with skills they can use the same day, and the tools to keep building.

The programmes are designed for lawyers, business leaders, and professional teams who want to move beyond prompting and start genuinely deploying AI in their work. No coding experience needed at any level.

Using AI to get work done Practical foundations — how to use AI tools effectively across everyday legal and business tasks, without the guesswork.

Building AI agents How to design and deploy AI agents that work on your behalf — automating tasks, gathering information, and executing workflows.

Creating an AI operating system Building the infrastructure to gather data, orchestrate AI solutions, and create sustained competitive advantage — not just individual tools.

Delivered in-person or remotely. Available as standalone workshops or as a structured programme. Suitable for teams of any size.

Book training

Ready to build real AI capability in your team?

Whether you want a single half-day session or a structured programme across multiple cohorts, get in touch to discuss what would work for your team.

All programmes are tailored to the audience — the language, the examples, and the tools are chosen for the people in the room.

See the training offer → Book a discovery call Send a training enquiry

Speaking

Topics I speak on

I speak to business and legal audiences — not academic ones. The goal is always to leave people with something they can use on Monday morning.

AI governance for boards: what directors need to know and what they're liable for

What the EU AI Act means in practice for UK businesses

How in-house lawyers should approach AI adoption without the hype

Building AI-ready legal teams: practical tools, not just frameworks

Technology procurement in the age of AI: what the contracts don't cover

Data protection and AI: the real compliance questions

From awareness to capability: running effective AI training programmes for legal teams

Book Richard to speak

Speaking enquiries

I speak at conferences, in-house events, board away-days, and partner retreats. Past audiences include in-house legal teams, CFO networks, technology leadership groups, and professional conferences across the UK.

I also deliver bespoke in-depth training workshops — see the Training section above if that's what you're looking for.

Send a speaking invitation Book a call to discuss

What people say

From practitioners who've been in the room.

Every quote below comes from a lawyer, compliance professional, or contract manager who attended a session with Richard. Named, real, and specific.

In just a few sessions, participants go from being basic users to maximising the benefits they can derive from AI. AI will play a huge role in the future of legal practice — and any lawyer, young or old, should take Richard's course if they would like to stay ahead.

Toby Schumacher

Barrister · Fintech / Legal-Tech

This was accessible to me and enabled me to make real change to my daily work and what might be possible in my working life on limited resources and a shoestring budget.

Julienne

Legal & Compliance Manager · Ewopharma · Agent Builder Workshop

He guided us through how to apply AI thoughtfully, creatively, and effectively to real-world challenges affecting our roles. His ability to highlight practical problem-solving approaches was refreshing.

Kerrie Mott

Research Development Manager · University of Cumbria

Perfectly delivered with real life examples, practical tips, interactive tasks, humour, and a wealth of experience and knowledge. Couldn't have asked more of a few hours' session.

Alona Kiriak

Contract Drafting & Simplification Specialist

Well-structured, engaging, and immediately useful. I would highly recommend Richard to anyone looking to build confidence and better understand how to use AI in their day-to-day legal work.

Emma Fairclough

Contract Manager

The session was really thought provoking and provided incredibly useful tools and information which I'm looking forward to implementing as part of my role.

Helena White

Head of Research Support · University of Warwick

As a practicing lawyer, he brought relevant subject-matter knowledge and delivered the workshop in a clear, practical way. Reliable, well-prepared, and great at keeping participants engaged.

Frida Hernandez

Compliance Manager · Externally Funded Projects

The session offered practical insights into how to prepare effective prompts and how to integrate AI tools within day-to-day professional work. I would recommend Richard for his expertise, clear delivery, and positive energy.

Raffaella Di Masi

Senior Project Manager

FAQ

Questions people ask before getting in touch

Straight answers to what people usually want to know before reaching out.

What does Richard actually do?

Richard is a technology law partner at Browne Jacobson LLP and the founder of Skilldiligence, his separate AI training and governance business. He splits his time between board and advisory work, technology law and AI governance advice, and hands-on AI training for teams.

How is Skilldiligence different from Browne Jacobson?

Browne Jacobson is the law firm where Richard is a partner, leading technology, data and AI law matters. Skilldiligence is a separate consultancy and training business he founded, focused on practical AI governance and hands-on training for in-house legal teams, boards and businesses.

What are Richard's qualifications?

Richard is a solicitor with over 25 years' experience in technology law. He holds the IAPP AI Governance Professional (AIGP) and CIPP/E qualifications, and is recognised as a leading technology lawyer by both Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners.

Does Richard work with organisations outside the UK?

Richard's client base and speaking engagements are primarily UK-based, but online delivery means training and advisory conversations aren't limited by location — get in touch to discuss.

What kind of board-level support does he provide?

Independent, board-level perspective on AI governance, risk and opportunity — including EU AI Act and regulatory readiness, technology strategy and oversight, and cyber and data governance. This includes NED and advisory board appointments for organisations that want a non-executive voice with deep technology law expertise.

Is training delivered in person or online?

Both. Training is delivered in person or remotely, as standalone workshops or as part of a structured programme, and is suitable for teams of any size.

Who is the AI training for?

The training is designed for individuals and teams across any function — sales, operations, HR, legal, product, compliance and more — not just lawyers. Sessions are tailored to the delegates in the room, and no coding experience is needed.

Does Richard speak at conferences and events?

Yes. Richard speaks at conferences, board away-days and in-house events on AI governance, technology law and practical AI adoption. Past audiences include in-house legal teams, CFO networks and technology leadership groups.

What's the best way to get in touch?

It depends what you're getting in touch about — the contact section below has separate routes for NED and advisory enquiries, speaking invitations, and training and consulting, each with an email link and a call-booking option. Not sure which fits? Just drop a line and outline what you're working on.

Get in touch

Let's talk

I'm interested in connecting with general counsel, business leaders, boards navigating AI risk, and conference and event organisers. Reach out directly — no gatekeepers.

NED & Advisory board enquiries

Send an enquiry Book a call

Speaking invitations

Send an invitation Book a call

AI training & consulting enquiries

Book training Book a discovery call

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Quick note

Not sure which route fits? Drop me a line with a brief note on what you're working on.

For Browne Jacobson legal matters, you can find my profile and contact details at Browne Jacobson.