Gerry Cantwell joined BAE Systems Digital Intelligence in 2022 to lead the establishment of an equivalent of the UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) for a friendly foreign government and to provide strategic global advice on public sector IT transformation, development of the secure cloud and transforming delivery of Information Assurance services to meet the demands of HMG Cyber Security. As a senior executive and ex-HMG board member he has extensive experience leading significant technology and business change programs (£3Bn pa) in both public and private sector. This included establishing, transforming and managing large technology departments (up to 3000 staff); running 24x7 global IT operations; leading national and five-eyes government fora; turning around the performance of failing business units/projects and developing inexperienced teams. In addition he was responsible for re-structuring/re-negotiating commercial arrangements and working with organisation boards, senior UK Government stakeholders, Permanent Secretaries and Ministers, industry suppliers and international partners. Gerry’s profession career includes senior roles including Chief Information Office - UK National Crime Agency, Director Information Systems and Services – UK Ministry of Defence and Head of Information Assurance Service, GCHQ. Gerry has a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering from the University of Strathclyde is a Fellow of the British Computer Society (FBCS), a Chartered Engineer (CEng) and Chartered IT Practitioner (CITP).

Ben Whitham has founded three of Australia’s most awarded cyber security and engineering firms. After transitioning from the Australian Defence Force, Ben successfully founded three of Australia’s most awarded cyber security and engineering firms: AGIS, M5 Network Security and Penten. Across his career, Ben has partnered with Australian Defence, Government and commercial clients to create, deliver and support solutions in the Secure Communications, Cyber Defence and Electronic Warfare domains. His work has included the creation of several unique technologies based on Applied Artificial Intelligence. Ben moved to the United Kingdom in 2023 to help drive the take-up of these and other technologies through Penten’s partner company Amiosec. He was also appointed Chief Technology Officer of Amiosec in 2024. In 2019, Ben was named the inaugural Veteran Entrepreneur of the Year. He holds several patents in respect of his innovations and continues to speak and write on emerging areas of cyber technology.

Alistair Green is senior vice president for cloud engineering in Oracle’s Japan and Asia Pacific region, and leads our Australian and New Zealand Defence and National Security business. He’s a passionate technologist who, with his talented team of professionals, works to help customers, partners, and developers realize the power of Oracle’s cloud infrastructure, applications and artificial intelligence to solve their business problems. As a leader, Alistair focuses on driving customer-centricity, shareholder value, and investing in people. He enjoys connecting and building meaningful relationships with his Oracle team and our customers, partners, and prospects. One of Alistair’s favourite ways to recharge is pushing himself through endurance sports, always training for his next IRONMAN race. The drive to see how much he can do and the endorphin rush are a real thrill. Alistair holds a Bachelor of Computer Science from the UNSW.