Cyber security for ClimateTech SMEs: Addressing risk in a digital age

Craig Melson

Associate Director for Climate, Environment and Sustainability, techUK

Craig is Associate Director for Climate, Environment and Sustainability and leads on our work in these areas ranging from climate change, ESG disclosures and due diligence, through to circular economy, business and human rights, conflict minerals and post-Brexit regulation.

Prior to joining techUK he worked in public affairs and policy has an avid interest in new and emerging technologies. Craig has a degree in Ancient History from King’s College London and spends his time watching Watford FC and holding out hope for Half Life 3.

Email:

[email protected]

Phone:

020 7331 2172

Twitter:

@techUK,@techUK

Website:

www.techuk.org,www.techuk.org

LinkedIn:

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/craig-melson-25479936,https://uk.linkedin.com/in/craig-melson-25479936

Josh Turpin

Programme Manager, Telecoms and Net Zero, techUK

Josh joined techUK as a Programme Manager for Telecoms and Net Zero in August 2024.

In this role, working jointly across the techUK Telecoms and Climate Programmes, Josh is responsible for leading on telecoms infrastructure deployment and uptake and supporting innovation opportunities, as well as looking at how the tech sector can be further utilised in the UK’s decarbonisation efforts.  

Prior to joining techUK, Josh’s background was in public affairs and communications, working for organisations across a diverse portfolio of sectors including defence, telecoms and infrastructure; aiding clients through stakeholder engagement, crisis communications, media outreach as well as secretariat duties.

Outside of work, Josh has a keen interest in music, painting and sailing.

Email:

[email protected]

Phone:

020 7331 2038

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-turpin/

Laura Packham

Programme Manager - Climate Tech

Laura has joined techUK from March 2025 on secondment from the Civil Service Fast Stream.

In this role, she supports the work of the Climate, Environment, and Sustainability Programme and the ClimateTech Policy Coalition.

Laura has previously worked at the Department for Education and the Judicial Office, and taught English in Japan on the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme.

She has a degree in Modern Languages and Linguistics from the University of Oxford.

Email:

[email protected]

Alec Bartishevich

Programme Manager - Sustainability, techUK

Alec joined techUK in 2025 as the Programme Manager for Sustainability within the Climate, Environment, and Sustainability Programme.

In his role, he helps lead on key sustainability and climate topics, including ESG disclosures, supply chain due diligence, human rights, e-waste, biodiversity, and the move to the circular economy. He also supports data centre members with sustainability challenges.

Prior to joining techUK, he worked as a policy staffer for a United States Senator. He is a graduate of the London School of Economics and Political Science and SUNY Geneseo. Outside of work, he enjoys playing sports, going to the movies, and travelling.

Email:

[email protected]

Lucas Banach

Programme Assistant, Data Centres, Climate, Environment and Sustainability, Market Access, techUK

Lucas Banach is Programme Assistant at techUK, he works on a range of programmes including Data Centres; Climate, Environment & Sustainability; Market Access and Smart Infrastructure and Systems.

Before that Lucas who joined in 2008, held various roles in our organisation, which included his role as Office Executive, Groups and Concept Viability Administrator, and most recently he worked as Programme Executive for Public Sector. He has a postgraduate degree in International Relations from the Andrzej Frycz-Modrzewski Cracow University.

Email:

[email protected]

Phone:

020 7331 2006

Twitter:

@techUK

Website:

www.techuk.org

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucas-banach-50139650