Adam Lillis

Adam Lillis has over 15 years of experience working in data protection and in his current role at McLaren Automotive he is responsible for the governance of personal data within the organisation. He is also an American football coach for the Great Britain national programme and the Kent Falcons.

Tell us about your career path since graduation.

I did not graduate from the University of Kent due to personal reasons, however, this led me to starting my career at the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and eventually working in the data protection sector.

Over the next 15+ years I have worked across a number of organisations in data protection - including the IPCC, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Birkbeck College, and Nest Pensions. I am currently the Data Protection Officer (DPO) for McLaren Automotive.

Alongside my role in data protection I also work as an American football coach. I was introduced to the sport at university where I played with the Kent Falcons, and now, 20 years later, I am coaching for the Great Britain national program and have travelled to Italy, Denmark, and Sweden for games.

What does a typical work day look like for you?

As a DPO, I am responsible for the governance of personal data at the organisation. At McLaren, I work across all departments to support and train our staff on appropriate handling of personal data. McLaren is a great company to work for and I am excited to see what the future brings.

Outside of my work hours, I coach for the GB Men’s program in American football. We practice once a month at the University of Nottingham. It is a fantastic feeling to represent my country and I'm thankful that the core values I learned whilst a student-athlete still hold true to this day.

Can you share a professional highlight from your career so far?

Joining McLaren in 2024 has been a special highlight for me. It’s an exciting time for the team, with McLaren Racing competitive in Formula One and McLaren Automotive launching the new W1 supercar – so I am thrilled to be able to tangibly contribute to the company strategy by improving data governance.

Within American Football, I have now coached for GB in eight games and each time is extremely special. In 2023, I also returned to the Kent Falcons to be their new Head Coach and led the team to a division title. It was great being back on campus coaching the next generation of American football players and I am especially excited to celebrate the Falcon's 30th anniversary in 2025.

How did your time at Kent help you achieve your current career?

I spent my formative years with the Kent Falcons under Head Coach, Jonty Newman. I learnt what it meant to be a great teammate and to work hard in the face of adversity. Similarly, discovering how to run the club as a as a Gameday Manager and Vice-Chairman meant developing my people skills which has been invaluable in my career.

What advice would you give to our current/prospective students who are looking to get into the same line of work?

To be successful as a DPO you will need to have a pragmatic approach to problem solving, great attention to detail, and a positive working relationship with senior leadership.

It is a career that is accessible in every sector as all companies and organisations will process personal data. Exposing yourself to the UK GDPR and seeking opportunities to support a company's compliance to data protection law is a great starting point.

Did you get involved in any extracurricular activities as a student?

The Kent Falcons were the only sports team I joined at Kent and I never looked back! I played for the team for three years, coached them for a further five, and returned in 2023 as Head Coach.

The 'Falcons Family' is a special thing and it will reward you immeasurably through the hard work you put in - both on and off the field.

Do you have a favourite memory from your time at Kent?

Despite difficulties outside of university, I loved every moment I spent as a student at Kent. My experience was underpinned by my time with the Falcons but I also loved the campus and always felt at home there. I hope to spend more time at Kent in the future as I continue to coach the next generation of American football players.

Is there anything you would do differently if you could repeat your time at Kent?

I would have loved to have graduated but it wasn't to be. Everything happens for a reason and, looking back, it made me who I am today so I wouldn't change that.

Are you still in touch with other Kent alumni or academics?

Absolutely! I met my (now) wife at Kent and many of my close friends are former teammates.

The Falcons alumni community is really strong and we return to campus at least once a year to meet with the current team and celebrate their recent season. In 2025, we are aiming to host an event to celebrate 30 years of the Falcons with all previous members of the team invited to join.

What are your future ambitions?

I would like to continue develop the American football program at Kent so that it can support the university's wider recruitment strategies. There is a real opportunity to attract student-athletes to Kent using the successful Falcons program.

On the field, we want to win the Division 1 championship and earn promotion to the top-tier competition.