CyberVerse Unmasked

An opportunity to network and speak with other tech leaders and stakeholders from across the West Midlands.

Dave is a Partner at Ten Eleven Ventures with over twenty years of frontline experience in cybersecurity, from UK intelligence operations to founding and scaling one of the world’s leading cyber AI companies. 
 
Prior to joining Ten Eleven, Dave was a Co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Darktrace through to its IPO on the London Stock Exchange. Prior to founding Darktrace, Dave had a thirteen-year career in the UK Intelligence Agencies where he developed an appreciation for how high the stakes are when it comes to cyber security protecting our way of life. 

Gain valuable insight into the latest government priorities, policies and initiatives shaping the UK’s cyber security landscape. Rod Latham will share updates on national cyber resilience, digital identity, and emerging opportunities for businesses, helping organisations understand what lies ahead and how they can engage with the UK’s evolving cyber ecosystem. 

Get a unique insight into how law enforcement and cyber security teams respond when a major cyber incident strikes. Through real-world scenarios and lessons learned, this session will explore the critical decisions, challenges and actions that take place on “Day Zero” of a cyber attack, highlighting the importance of preparation, collaboration and rapid response in minimising impact and supporting recovery. 

oin industry leaders, innovators, academics and scaling businesses for a lively discussion celebrating the West Midlands’ cyber achievements over the past 12 months. From investment and innovation to skills development, collaboration and business growth, we’ll reflect on the region’s progress, highlight key success stories, and explore what’s next for one of the UK’s fastest-growing cyber ecosystems. Expect an informal, engaging conversation showcasing the people and organisations helping to put the West Midlands on the cyber map. 

Hosted by Anitha Chinnaswamy, Aston University with panellists: 

• Belinda Louch, Founder at Orbital 

• Richard Bate, Chief Technology Officer at Goldilock 

• Chris Woods, Founder & CEO at CyberQ Group 

• Steve Harrison, Cyber Operations Director at SCC 

• Lee Doughty, Director of Security and AI Practice at Intercity 

In this practical session, discover how Cyber Essentials helps organisations reduce risk, strengthen security, and demonstrate their commitment to protecting data. Learn about the most common cyber threats facing businesses today, the key controls that can mitigate them, and the steps your organisation can take towards achieving Cyber Essentials certification. 

Bringing together perspectives from industry, recruitment and youth engagement, this panel will explore the challenges and opportunities in building a sustainable cyber workforce. The discussion will also spotlight TechFirst, the West Midlands initiative helping young people develop the skills, confidence and pathways needed to pursue careers in cyber and technology. Join us as we explore how collaboration across education and industry can create a stronger, more diverse talent pipeline for the future. 

Hosted by Daljinder Mattu, Senior Policy Lead Cyber Security in the Midlands for Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) with panellists: 

• Victor Adeleye, Founder at Prooval 

• Stuart Stanton, Founder at Marston Search 

• Christina Pendleton, Chief People Officer at Intercity 

• Lee Cassey, Head of Security Operations at SCC 

• Yussuf Ahmed, Associate Professor of Cyber Security at Birmingham City University 

This session is for cyber leaders where we’ll be discussing the impact of Cyber Professionalism with Cyber Scheme.

For those wanting to understand how to begin with cyber fundamentals, join this workshop where Gowling WLG will take us through the ins and outs of proper protection.