Speakers

Alex Harris, Head of Future Cyber Capability, Cabinet Office

Alex is Head of Future Cyber Capabilities at Cabinet Office where he is leading the design of a new operating model for government-wide cyber security that will better meet the threats government and the public sector faces. Prior to this, he has worked in numerous public sector facing cyber roles including at PwC as a Government Cyber Senior Manager, in the Dept... of Health and NHS England Joint Cyber Unit as Head of NHS and Social Care Cyber Risk, as well as in Department for Education and Government Legal Department.more

Gerard Thompson, Chief Information Security Officer, North Tyneside Council

Gerard Thompson is an experienced cybersecurity professional with over a decade of experience in information security, risk management, and digital infrastructure protection. Currently serving as CISO at North Tyneside Council, Gerard specialises in identifying vulnerabilities, implementing proactive security measures, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Gerard’s... background includes experience in both public and private sectors, where he has led efforts to strengthen cyber defences and respond to emerging threats. His commitment to staying current with evolving technologies and security trends makes him a trusted expert in his field. Gerard is passionate about safeguarding data and enhancing digital resilience across organisations.
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Dr Emma Philpott, Director and CEO, IASME

Dr Emma Philpott is director and CEO of IASME and joined the organisation in 2013. A material scientist by training, Emma spent time working in the Ministry of Defence and QinetiQ followed by 5 years working in Singapore. When Emma moved to Malvern in 2009, she found that there were lots of small cybersecurity companies that faced barriers to growth. Emma set up the... Malvern Cyber Security Cluster to support and represent these small companies. One of the start-ups that Emma met through this work was IASME. The founders approached Emma for some business planning advice and she became increasingly involved in the plan to develop a route to cyber security certification for small companies.  In addition to this, Emma has been involved in training and supporting neurodiverse individuals in cyber security as well as the wider diversity aspect of the Cyber Security industry. In 2019, Emma was recognised for her services to cyber security with a MBE in the Queen’s Birthday honours list. more