Cyber Innovation Den 2023

Andrew Elliot

Deputy Director, Cyber Security, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology

Andrew has been at DSIT (previously DCMS) since 2016 working on digital policy including cyber, telecoms and data protection. Andrew’s team delivers policies and programmes that have made the UK more resilient against cyber threats and have grown the UK cyber sector achieving an 11% compound annual growth rate since 2015. They are currently focussed on work to accelerate the adoption of Cyber Essentials, professional standards set by the UK Cyber Security Council and memory safe technologies including CHERI.

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Diane Gilbert

Senior Innovation Lead - Programmes, Plexal

Diane  is the Innovation Ecosystem Lead at Plexal: the innovation company that helps industry and the government unlock the potential of technology.  She is a programme management specialist with 15 years’ cross-industry experience in the delivery of complex and strategically important projects, programmes and events. 
 
Over the past 5 years at Plexal Diane has led research projects, accelerators and innovation programmes for clients like the Information Commissioner’s Office and DSIT and oversees the delivery of Cyber Runway: the UK’s largest cyber security accelerator.
 
As an Innovation Ecosystem Lead Diane is growing Plexal’s cyber cluster and connects startups, industry, investors, policymakers and cyber hubs from across the UK’s cyber security ecosystem
 

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Joshua Walter

Partner, Osney Capital

Josh is a General Partner at Osney Capital, a specialist Cyber VC firm investing into early-stage UK Cyber companies.

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Nicola Whiting

Co-Owner, Titania Group

Nicola Whiting is co-owner of Titania Group, she is also Autistic, an Amazon best-selling author and is listed as one of the Top 30 most influential women working in cyber security.  She received the UK’s inaugural “National Cyber Citizen Award” for her “outstanding contribution to the world of cyber security and protection” & was awarded an MBE by the Queen for services to International Trade and Diversity. 

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Saba Ahmed

Managing Director, Cyber Resilience, Accenture

Saba is Accenture's Global Lead for Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) Security, with over two decades of experience protecting essential services across the Middle East, Asia and Europe. She leads cyber modernisation and transformation programmes, including building Cyber AI functions to transform security, and helps shape where the industry is heading through her work with leading technology vendors.

A technologist at heart, Saba is known for turning complex security challenges into practical solutions. She is also a committed advocate for inclusion and diversity, leading I&D for Accenture across Europe.

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David Sully

CEO and Co-Founder, Advai

David Sully is CEO and Co-Founder of Advai, a UK leader in Red Teaming and Assuring state-of-the-art AI systems.  Founded in 2020, Advai has grown to be a trusted part of the UK’s AI Safety & Security landscape. Prior to forming Advai, David worked for over a decade for the UK Government on a range of Defence and Security topics.

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Sarah Blundell

Chief Operating Officer, CyberHive

As COO of a growing UK Cyber SME, I am passionate about delivering technology that can be used to protect people while also delivering business value.  Much of the focus in Cyber security education is on improving the security baseline but I believe that this should not be at the expense of identifying and analysing new and emerging threats and trends along with the opportunities this can provide UK PLC.
My prior background in risk management in the financial services sector and strong operational delivery experiences enables me to blend the desire for increased security with the requirements for usability to ensure that security posture is increased both theoretically and in practice.
I have a strong track record of building successful partnerships to stimulate innovation and growth.  These include commercial, academic and government partnerships.  Successful collaboration enhances solutions through bringing a diverse range of expertise to bear on a problem
 

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