Speakers

Rob Elsey, Chief Digital and Information Officer, Co-op

Rob Elsey is a senior technology executive with a proven track record of leading digital transformation across complex, regulated organisations. As Group Chief Digital and Information Officer at Co-op since October 2021, Rob is responsible for enterprise-wide technology strategy, digital product development, data, and innovation -... driving modernisation across retail, membership, and life services. His tenure has included delivery of large-scale SAP migration and modernisation programmes to support operational and commercial agility. Prior to joining Co-op, Rob served as Executive Director and CIO at the Bank of England, where he led the transformation of critical national infrastructure and modernised core systems between 2015 and 2021. Earlier in his career, Rob held senior roles at Vodafone, including CIO and Head of IT, where he delivered major programmes in CRM, billing, and analytics. He also held leadership positions at Cable & Wireless Communications and Telewest (now part of Virgin Media), where he led enterprise-wide digital, and systems programmes focused on business intelligence and operational performance.more

Sam Rea, Head of Enterprise Security Architecture, Bupa Group

Sam Rea is a senior cybersecurity leader with experience across government, consulting, and global enterprise. He leads enterprise security architecture for Bupa Group, a £16bn international health and insurance organisation, where he shapes strategy across digital trust, secure transformation and responsible AI.

Simon Goldsmith, Director for Information Security, OVO Energy

Simon has been in security for over 20 years and has built security and intelligence capabilities for military platforms, national security, financial services, energy and global retail sectors. He has lived and worked in Asia, mainland Europe, Middle East as well as the UK and can speak to both successes and failures in national... security, security and privacy regulations, financial crime and securing DevOps transformation in both large and small enterprises. A passion for sport and a semi-professional career in rugby provide an alternative perspective on business resilience and performance. Simon is a passionate advocate for security as a team sport with an urgent need for more diversity and inclusive behaviours in the profession. more

Dr. Marina Egea, Cybersecurity Senior Director, Santander UK

Dr. Marina Egea is Cybersecurity Senior Director at Santander UK, where she leads (Customer) Identity & Access Management across digital processes and manages a globally distributed team spanning the UK, Romania, India, and Spain. A trusted advisor to senior business and technology leaders, Marina plays a key role in shaping identity... strategy and operation that can best support business and security requirements. Since joining Grupo Santander in 2018, Marina has spearheaded secure digital transformation for cloud-native, mobile-first platforms across multiple entities. She also led the PagoNxt Global CERT, overseeing global threat response and incident coordination. Holding a PhD in Computer Science and a Licenciate Degree in Mathematics, Marina combines deep technical expertise with strategic leadership. She is C-CISO certified, underscoring her executive-level proficiency in cybersecurity governance. Her career spans cybersecurity innovation, mobile security, ethical hacking, and digital forensics. Marina is a published researcher in Security Engineering, a seasoned university lecturer in Spain and Switzerland, and a graduate of Oxford’s Cybersecurity for Business Leaders program.more

Steve Davies, Head of Cyber Security, DLA Piper

As the Head of Cyber Security at DLA Piper, I lead a global team of security professionals who are responsible for protecting the firm's data, systems, and reputation from cyber threats. With over 10 years of experience in the information security field, I have successfully developed and executed cybersecurity strategies and initiatives that align with the firm's... business objectives and risk appetite.

My core competencies include security architecture, engineering, and operations, as well as crisis management, compliance, and vulnerability management. I have in-sourced Security Operations, established Security Engineering capabilities, and driven vulnerability management processes across the firm. I have also implemented SIEM solutions, intrusion detection systems, and technical guardrails for public cloud adoption, leveraging my expertise in Cloud Security and SABSA. My mission is to foster a culture of security excellence and resilience, and to enable the firm to deliver innovative and secure solutions to its clients. more

Joe Tidy, Reporter, Presenter & Author, BBC

Joe Tidy is the BBC’s first ever Cyber Correspondent and the foremost voice in the corporation on cybercrime and hacking. Over the past ten years he has covered all major cyber-attacks for BBC and Sky News working across TV, Radio, social media and news websites. He has made documentaries about cyber security travelling to the US, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Argentina,... Germany and Ukraine to track down stories and characters. 
His book Ctrl+Alt+Chaos: How Teenage Hackers Hijack the Internet investigates the dark side of teen hacking culture and why we are repeatedly failing as a society to address the growing issue of teen cybercrime.more

Lynette Webber, Head of Security Governance, Risk and Compliance, Virgin Media O2

Lynette is an ISACA Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) and a recipient of the prestigious Next CSO Award, recognised for leadership and innovation in the people, physical and cybersecurity space. With a proven track record in managing large-scale security teams, Lynette currently leads a high-performing team of over 30 professionals across a broad spectrum... of information security domains. Their portfolio includes ownership of security policy development, security risk management, internal and external audits across multiple ISO standards, and compliance-driven remediation initiatives. Lynette also oversees the renewal and maintenance of critical security certifications, as well as physical and personnel security programs, ensuring holistic protection of organisational assets. An advocate for operational resilience, Lynette plays a key role in business continuity and disaster recovery planning, bridging technical expertise with strategic oversight to build security programs that are both robust and adaptable. With a deep understanding of security governance and a commitment to continuous improvement, Lynette brings valuable insight into what it takes to lead modern security teams in complex, regulated environments.more

John Flatley – Solutions Engineer, Abnormal AI

John Flatley is a Solutions Engineer at Abnormal AI with deep, hands-on expertise in email security built over more than 15 years in the industry. Having joined Abnormal, he now advises enterprise customers across EMEA on advanced, AI-driven approaches to securing the inbox. Before Abnormal, John spent six years at Barracuda in senior pre-sales roles, including... heading up their email strategy across EMEA as a Consulting Solutions Architect, where he worked directly with security teams across the region to solve complex email threats. His earlier career at CMS Distribution saw him supporting and architecting the internal systems as an IT Manager, giving him an end-to-end understanding of the email threat landscape and the tools that truly work to stop it.more

Richard Meeus, Senior Director Security Technology and Strategy, EMEA, Akamai

Richard Meeus is Akamai’s EMEA Senior Director of Security Technology and Strategy. With more than 20 years of experience, Richard is responsible for designing and building secure solutions for some of the world’s most influential organisations. Richard is an industry expert in cloud computing, enterprise software, and network security. During his time at Akamai,... Mirapoint, and Prolexic, Richard has had held strategic roles across a broad range of projects, including the deployment of DDoS solutions for multinational organisations to protect critical infrastructure and sensitive data. Additionally, Richard is a chartered member of the BCS and a CISSP.more

Lee Elliott, Senior Director of Solutions Engineering, BeyondTrust

Lee Elliott is the Sr Director, Solutions Engineering, for BeyondTrust. A highly capable security leader with 20+ years’ experience, Lee has acquired a wide range of security and identity management experience and knowledge, working across multiple industries in both vendor and client-side organizations. As a regular speaker at industry... conferences, Lee delivers disruptive technical and strategic thought-leadership insight to the international cybersecurity community.more

John Wood, Senior Regional Sales Manager, Contrast Security

John Wood, Leader, Next-Gen Application Security, at Contrast Security, has been a leading figure in Application Security since 2006. He played a pivotal role in establishing one of the first SAST vendors in the United Kingdom and Europe, contributing significantly to the evolution of the industry. With extensive experience across a range of Application... Security projects—both successful and challenging—John has developed a deep understanding of how development teams operate and has continually adapted to new methodologies, fostering innovative approaches to align security with evolving development practices. A graduate of Portsmouth University and Queensland University of Technology, he holds degrees in Economic History, Entrepreneurship, and Technology Management.more

Oliver Simonnet, Lead Cybersecurity Researcher, CultureAI

Oliver Simonnet is the Lead Cybersecurity Researcher at CultureAI, focusing on human and AI-centric threats. With nearly a decade of experience, holding roles such as Principal Security Consultant, Global Head of Application Security, and SWIFT Security SME his expertise spans multiple domains, including reverse engineering, payment system technologies, human risk... management, and artificial intelligence. Known for his research on SWIFT payment systems, Oliver has published whitepapers, delivered industry talks, and trained cybersecurity professionals worldwide.more

Suzie Dobrontei, Behavioural Scientist, CybSafe

Suzie is a chartered social psychologist, former university lecturer, and CybSafe Behavioral Scientist. She’s researched and taught social processes, group dynamics and human factors in cyber security for eight years. Suzie is the lead author for The Annual Cybersecurity Attitudes and Behaviours Report 2025-2026.

Michael Adjei, Director, Systems Engineering, Illumio

Michael has over 2 decades of experience. He is the Director of Systems Engineering where he is responsible for overseeing the go-to-market systems engineering team.   Michael is an accomplished public speaker, regularly speaking at conferences and webinars. He holds a MSc in Network Systems Engineering and a BSc in physics in addition to several cyber industry... certifications.more

Charlie Mather, Commercial Account Executive, Ironscales

Charlie Mather is a Commercial Account Executive at IRONSCALES, where he helps organisations strengthen email security through advanced phishing protection and threat detection. With prior experience in business development at IRONSCALES and Operatix, Charlie brings a strong background in helping business' mitigate email-borne threats to reduce risk... and build resilience against evolving cyberattacks.more

Mark Pearce, Global Sales & Channel Leader, Goldilock Secure

Mark Pearce is a veteran executive leader and channel strategist, bringing over four decades of experience in the IT networking industry. His strategic curiosity fuels his passion for leading transformative change and delivering significant organisational growth.His career is distinguished by a rare holistic perspective gained from serving both as a user and a vendor... of enterprise technology. Mark began his career as an end-user in financial services and the public sector, notably as Network Manager for Greater Manchester Police and subsequently in key leadership roles at global tech giants. He has held senior sales and channel director roles at industry powerhouses including Cabletron Systems, Enterasys Networks, Force10 Networks, and Extreme Networks. Most recently, as the Worldwide Director for Dell’s channel networking business. This foundation allows him to approach technological innovation and partner strategies with a deep, practical understanding of customer needs.A sought-after speaker at analyst forums and industry events across Europe, Mark is an authority on topics ranging from eco-efficient data center networking to cutting-edge demand-generation strategies for channel success. Outside of his professional responsibilities, he prioritises time with his family, maintains a strong interest in sports, and engages in extensive reading across a range of subjects.more

Khetan Gajjar, EMEA CTO, Mimecast

Khetan Gajjar brings over 25 years of leadership and expertise in the ICT sector to his role as Field Chief Technology Officer for EMEA at Mimecast. He sets the long-term vision for cybersecurity in the region, focusing on innovative solutions and integrating customer needs into strategic business plans. Khetan’s career includes leading roles at... Meta, where he led the OpenWiFi Project Group, and executive positions at Vodacom, VAST Networks, and Internet Solutions. As a trusted advisor, he shapes strategies to secure businesses against evolving cyber threats.more

John Gilbert, Director Red Lodge Consulting, OneSpan

Recognised for his expertise in driving innovation and shaping successful go-to-market strategies across the UK and EMEA, for over 30 years, John has been at the forefront of complex technology sales, working with both dynamic start-ups and established organisations to deliver transformative results. With a focus on technologies that relate to challenge of identity... in security, John has a particular talent for engaging with "early adopter" markets, often driving the initial adoption of cybersecurity and software innovations within challenging and highly regulated environments. Working now as an independent consultant and advisor, John is passionate in his belief that there is now one vendor solution and that strong partnerships and clear communication are critical to success in the rapidly evolving landscape of cybersecurity. At this event, John brings not only deep sales acumen, but also a particular, practical vision for the future of cybersecurity, making him an invaluable contributor to any discussion on technology adoption, resilience, and innovation.more

Alistair Mills, Director, Sales Engineering, Proofpoint

Alistair Mills is a Cyber Security Expert with over 15 years’ experience. He enjoys the challenge of running teams who work on complex technical solutions that help organisations to protect their people and secure their data. Prior to Proofpoint, Alistair worked at Forcepoint, Symantec and Sophos. 

Federico Charosky, Founder & CEO, Quorum Cyber

A risk and cyber security expert, Federico has held several senior positions in Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas during a 20-year career. He has served as the Head of Security at a Middle East bank and acted as a Senior Advisor for numerous prestigious blue chip and FTSE 100 companies.

Nadim Lahoud, SVP Operations, Red Sift

Nadim Lahoud is SVP of Operations at Red Sift, a european cyber security software company. He is responsible for the company’s strategy and commercial operations in Europe and the Middle East. Prior to Red Sift, he invested in and advised high-growth technology firms, serving as a venture investor at Oxford Capital and as an M&A adviser at Arma Partners and... Moelis & Company. 
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Donato Capitella, Principal Security Consultant, Reversec

Donato Capitella has worked in software engineering, security, and penetration testing for over a decade, specializing in GenAI security. Since joining Reversec, Donato has led efforts in secure software development, adversary simulation, and AI security research, with findings presented at industry conferences. They also design training programs for developers... and have built sandbox environments for hands-on security testing and CTF events.more

Justin Kuruvilla, Chief Cybersecurity Strategist, Risk Ledger

Justin joins Risk Ledger after a career supporting the US Government in cyber security. He worked as a technical director for cyber security operations at the US Department of Defense (DoD), which included a secondment to the UK National Cyber Security Centre. Most recently, he advised senior executives of top global corporations and investment firms on enhancing... their management of cyber risk. more

Ed Morgan, GTM Technical Lead EMEA & APJ, Rubrik

A soldier turned technologist with over a decade spent in the industry, I have extensive experience in infrastructure architecture and design, converged systems, enterprise storage and virtualisation, cloud architectures, and business continuity/disaster recovery.

Ian Perry, Head of Sales Engineering, Searchlight Cyber

Ian Perry is Head of Sales Engineering at Searchlight Cyber. With more than two decades of experience in networks and cybersecurity, throughout his career Ian has fulfilled technical roles at major corporations from Solutions Architect, to Systems Engineer. As a consultant he worked with multinational organisations including Unilever, PWC, Alliance, Eircom 3 Mobile... and Vodafone, before taking on senior roles at cybersecurity companies including Symantec, Zscaler, and Air Eye. He joined Searchlight Cyber in 2025, where he leads a team of Sales Engineers that are responsible for understanding and meeting the technical requirements of prospective customers, to ensure that Searchlight’s solutions are enabling them to overcome their cybersecurity challenges.more

Michael Hiscock, Solution Engineer, Sectona

Michael Hiscock is a Solution Engineer for Sectona, having joined the company earlier in 2025 as it begins its European expansion. He spent the best part of a decade at Nationwide Building Society where he was an integral member of a successful, multi-year IAM and PAM project. He moved to Cognizant's mergers and acquisitions team where he managed teams across Europe... and onboarded new companies into the ever-expanding portfolio. His experience now allows him to provide enterprise grade privileged access solutions to customers across the continent.more

Rob Ainscough, Chief Identity Security Advisor, Silverfort

Rob Ainscough is the Chief Identity Security Advisor at Silverfort and a seasoned leader in identity and access management. With over a decade of experience building and scaling IAM programs in complex, global environments, Rob brings deep expertise in access governance, privileged access, and secure credentialing. He is known for simplifying identity security... challenges and driving automation and risk reduction at scale.more

Tom Rossdale, Sales Engineer Director, Varonis

Tom Rossdale leads the Sales Engineering team at Varonis UK&I, where he helps organisations safeguard their most valuable asset: data. With two decades of experience in cyber security—spanning both enterprise environments and cyber security vendors—Tom brings deep technical insight and practical expertise to his role. Since... joining Varonis in 2014, Tom has supported hundreds of businesses prevent data breaches and avoid compliance fines, with minimal operational effort. Tom regularly speaks on topics such as Zero Trust, cloud misconfigurations, and threat detection, translating complex challenges into actionable strategies for technical and executive audiences alike. Whether leading webinars, supporting incident response, or advising boards, Tom is committed to helping organisations protect the target of every attack: their data.more