Over the last 5 years, DCMS cyber skills programmes have been inspiring young people to take an interest in cyber security and encouraging them to consider a career in the cyber profession. DCMS are now considering how to take these programmes further, starting in September 2021 at the beginning of the next academic year.
This techUK hosted session will see attendees discuss DCMS’ emerging plans and to seek industry views on the next development phase of the cyber skills programme, which aims to ensure the UK has the cyber security skills needed to continually enhance the UK’s resilience against growing cyber threats. Clearly, programmes can only be effective if we work in partnership with educators, cyber professionals, industry and others who care about these important issues.
The session be attended by a group of people from across the education system and the cyber security sector. The DCMS cyber security skills policy leads will outline the policy context and their initial proposals, followed by an open discussion with attendees.
If you have any questions or are unable to attend but still want to be involved, please contact [email protected] to be added to a mailing list to keep you informed of our progress and future discussion opportunities.
Background to DCMS Cyber Security Skills
Working through the UK Government’s 2016-2021 UK National Cyber Security Strategy, DCMS have championed a range of interventions that support young people, career changers and the cyber security profession more widely to learn cyber security skills and access cyber security jobs. This includes:
Building the evidence base and understanding of the continuing UK cyber security skills gap and shortage, focusing on where needs lie and defining a starting point through which to measure progress. This includes the Cyber Skills in the UK Labour Market and Sectoral Analysis research
Inspiring and developing the next generation of cyber security professionals through the HMG flagship programme, CyberFirst including Cyber Discovery. This programme has engaged with over 116,000 young people, schools and employers to provide young people with cyber security learning and careers education
Supporting innovation in the cyber security training market and the numerous offerings that exist that look to address the skills gap and shortage from diverse perspectives. Previously, this has included the Cyber Skills Immediate Impact Fund
Establishing the infrastructure to bring together the UK’s cyber security professional landscape through the creation of the new UK Cyber Security Council. This independent body will set standards and define career and learning paths for the cyber security profession
The efforts of educators, employers and other dedicated people have been essential to designing, developing and implementing this work. DCMS are keen to ensure that we continue to shape programmes by taking on a wide range of views and challenges into the next stage of our strategic thinking - making sure government intervention is both effective and appropriate.
DCMS want to understand the ideal roles, responsibilities and partnerships that can be developed to ensure we increase the scale and reach of the quality work that is already ongoing. We further want to support the development of new, innovative activity that contributes to an effective cyber security workforce - in particular, tackling diversity and ensuring access to opportunities in the profession across the UK.
Jill Broom
Head of Cyber Resilience, techUK
Jill Broom
Head of Cyber Resilience, techUK
Jill leads the techUK Cyber Resilience programme, having originally joined techUK in October 2020 as a Programme Manager for the Cyber and Central Government programmes. She is responsible for managing techUK's work across the cyber security ecosystem, bringing industry together with key stakeholders across the public and private sectors. Jill also provides the industry secretariat for the Cyber Growth Partnership, the industry and government conduit for supporting the growth of the sector. A key focus of her work is to strengthen the public–private partnership across cyber to support further development of UK cyber security and resilience policy.
Before joining techUK, Jill worked as a Senior Caseworker for an MP, advocating for local communities, businesses and individuals, so she is particularly committed to techUK’s vision of harnessing the power of technology to improve people’s lives. Jill is also an experienced editorial professional and has delivered copyediting and writing services for public-body and SME clients as well as publishers.
Annie is the Programme Manager for Cyber Resilience at techUK. She first joined as the Programme Manager for Cyber Security and Central Government in September 2023.
In her role, Annie supports the Cyber Security SME Forum, engaging regularly with key government and industry stakeholders to advance the growth and development of SMEs in the cyber sector. Annie also coordinates events, engages with policy makers and represents techUK at a number of cyber security events.
Before joining techUK, Annie was an Account Manager at a specialist healthcare agency, where she provided public affairs support to a wide range of medical technology clients. She also gained experience as an intern in both an MP’s constituency office and with the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed. Annie holds a degree in International Relations from Nottingham Trent University.
Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Francesca Richiusa
Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Fran serves as the Programme Team Assistant within techUK’s Public Sector Market Programmes, where she is responsible for delivering comprehensive team support, managing administrative functions, and fostering strong relationships with members.
Prior to joining techUK in May 2025, Fran built a meaningful career in the charitable and local government sectors. She worked extensively with both victims and perpetrators of crime, and notably led the coordination of Domestic Homicide Reviews across Surrey—an initiative aimed at identifying lessons and preventing future incidents of domestic abuse.
Outside of work, Fran is an avid traveller and a proud cat mum who enjoys unwinding with her feline companions.
Olivia Staples joined techUK in May 2025 as a Junior Programme Manager in the Cyber Resilience team.
She supports the programs mission to promote cyber resilience by engaging key commercial and government stakeholders to shape the cyber resilience policy towards increased security and industry growth. Olivia assists in member engagement, event facilitation and communications support.
Before joining techUK, Olivia gained experience in research, advocacy, and strategic communications across several international organisations. At the Munich Security Conference, she supported stakeholder engagement and contributed to strategic communications. She also worked closely with local and national government stakeholders in Spain and Italy, where she was involved in policy monitoring and advocacy for both public and private sector clients.
Olivia holds an MSc in Political Science (Comparative Politics and Conflict Studies) from the London School of Economics (LSE) and a BA in Spanish and Latin American Studies from University College London (UCL).
Outside of tech, Olivia enjoys volunteering with local charities and learning Norwegian.
Programme Marketing Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Tracy Modha
Programme Marketing Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Tracy supports the marketing of several areas at techUK, including Cyber Exchange, Central Government, Cyber Resilience, Defence, Education, Health and Social Care, Justice and Emergency Services, Local Public Services, Nations and Regions and National Security.
Tracy joined techUK in March 2022, having worked in the education sector for 19 years, covering administration, research project support, IT support and event/training support. My most outstanding achievement has been running three very successful international conferences and over 300 training courses booked all over the globe!
Tracy has a great interest in tech. Gaming and computing have been a big part of her life, and now electric cars are an exciting look at the future. She has warmed to Alexa, even though it can sometimes be sassy!