Speakers
October 2026
Previous Speakers
A provocative panel challenging traditional compliance-led approaches in favour of risk-informed governance
Mike Gillespie – BIO
Mike is a senior security and data protection expert, serving as Senior VP Europe at CSIS, where he provides leadership on emerging threats. A Fellow of theChartered Institute of Information Security, he advises on organisational security risks and promoted global thought leadership. Mike has advised the IIRSMand the UK Government’s Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner. He frequently speaks at industry events and contributes to media outlets likethe BBC and The Sunday Times. He also serves on the editorial board of Professional Security Magazine and is a regular industry speaker.
Ellie Hurst – BIO
Ellie, Commercial Director at Advent IM Ltd, is a Women in Security Award winner and experienced industry commentator. Host of the Risk and Business podcast, she speaks on topics like cyber security, ransomware, and insider threats. She is active in mentoring and professional groups, including the Security Institute.
James Morris OBE – BIO
James Morris was the Member of Parliament for Halesowen and Rowley Regis from 2010 to 2024 and served in a number of government roles, including as a Senior Whip and Minister in the Department of Health. He also served as Chair of the APPG for Cyber Security and Business Resilience and led debate on a range of cyber security policy issues. Prior to politics, James was a technology entrepreneur, management consultant and Chief Executive of the local government and localist think tank Localis.
Penny Jackson – BIO
Penny has established herself as a leader in cybersecurity awareness and engagement. As Communications Director for the NHS Digital Cyber Operational Readiness Support Programme, she led the engagement, awareness, and implementation initiatives on behalf of NHS Digital. She later transitioned to the retail sector, joining the John Lewis Partnership Senior Leadership Team, where she served as the strategic architect and leader of security and cybersecurity cultural, engagement learning development programmes across the 80,000-strong partnership of John Lewis and Waitrose. She is now the Director of Strategy and Human Risk Management for the Aristos Partnership who work with CNI and private enterprise on NCSC assured leadership resilience exercising and offering Cyber Security through a business resilience lens. Penny has been awarded a fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Information Security, she been made an honohary Cyber Leader in Residence a Lancaster University has recently been appointed to the RISC Advisory Board.
BIO
Brett Edwards is the Founder of BC Assure and creator of The Compliance Illusion™ framework. With more than 20 years’ senior leadership experience across governance, executive assurance, health, safety, fire, operational risk and compliance, Brett helps Boards and Executive Teams strengthen organisational understanding and improve executive decision making. His work challenges conventional assumptions about assurance and organisational performance, encouraging leaders to question not only what they know but how they know it.
True Resilience is about the ability to change when crisis events happen. This presentation will highlight wisdom from over 300 crisis simulations undertaken by Crisisboardroom.
BIO
Russ Timpson is the founder and organiser of the Tall Building Fire Safety Network (TBFSN). Started in 2009 the TBFSN seeks to improve fire safety in the Tall Building Environment.
Russ is a former RN submariner and firefighter. He is a chartered Fire Engineer, and Fellow of the Institution of Fire Engineers.
On leaving the Fire Service, RT took up the position of Head of Safety for Virgin Atlantic Airways, leading a multi-disciplinary team of safety, health and environmental specialists. Russ was part of the response team that managed the crash-landing incident at Heathrow in 1999.
In 2000, Russ was headhunted by BAA (UK airport operator) to lead the response to the major fire at Terminal 1, Heathrow Airport. In the following five years, Russ contributed to several major airport construction projects; including the skyway at Gatwick Airport and T5 at Heathrow Airport.
Russ was awarded the HSE’s award for European Safety and Health at Work achievement 1998 and European Strategic Risk Management Award 2004, International Fire professional of the Year 2015. CIR International Risk Management Award 2017. Russ is International President Elect for the Institution of Fire Engineers for 2027/28.
Russ now works as a consulting resilience engineer and expert witness on High Rise Fire Safety. Russ is a member of the CONIAC Group on Construction Fire Safety. He is the inventor of the Crisisboardroom™ concept for management of crisis events. Crisisboardroom™ has been deployed around the World to make businesses more resilient.
This presentation explores the journey of self-discovery through understanding one’s milieu — the environment, community, and influences that shape identity and direction. It delves into how personal values, experiences, and surroundings intersect to reveal a deeper sense of purpose.
Attendees will learn how to identify the spaces where they thrive, recognise the people and conditions that bring out their best, and align their strengths with meaningful goals. Through reflection, practical exercises, and real-world examples, the session encourages participants to define what fulfilment looks like for them and how to cultivate it intentionally.
Ultimately, the presentation empowers individuals to embrace authenticity, connect purposefully with their environment, and create a life and career that reflect who they truly are.
BIO
Sarah Jane Cork is an accomplished Chair, Non-Executive Director, Strategic Advisor, Ambassador, and Trustee with a distinguished record of driving transformation, growth, and excellence across multiple sectors. With extensive experience in formulating and executing strategies that deliver exceptional standards, sustainable business growth, and high-performing teams, she is recognised for her ability to lead organisations through complex change with clarity and purpose.
Renowned for building strong client partnerships and leading service transformation, Sarah consistently delivers cost efficiencies, continuous improvement, and effective change management. Her strategic mindset and critical thinking enable her to anticipate challenges, identify opportunities, and design innovative solutions that strengthen organisational resilience and performance.
Passionate about connecting sophisticated capital with talented small businesses, Sarah plays a pivotal role in raising investment and fostering collaboration between entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders. Her work focuses on unlocking new opportunities that drive long-term value creation and sustainable success.
As a dedicated Growth Strategist, Sarah supports small to medium-sized enterprises in achieving both organic and acquisition-led expansion. Her leadership extends across multiple boards, where she champions transformation, nurtures collaboration, and drives measurable impact.
Sarah Jane Cork’s career reflects a deep commitment to excellence, innovation, and inclusive leadership—qualities that continue to shape the organisations and communities she serves.
Andrew will discuss the approach to the deployment of security infrastructure and technology at major events and the unique issues these events create with regard the procurement, installation, training, operation and decommissioning.
This would include:
BIO
Andrew is a security professional in the major events and entertainment sectors with a proven track record in delivery and oversight. He served in the Metropolitan Police for 30 years; primarily working on major events and as a Personal Protection Officer to the Royal Family. He led the VIP Protection planning for numerous State events, including HM The Queen Mother’s Funeral, HM The Queen’s Golden Jubilee and the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games. Uniquely, he was seconded to the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic bid team and subsequently, the Organising Committee as the Head of Security where he developed an indepth knowledge of security requirements at major international events, including initial strategic planning, risk assessment, security procurement and Games wide security integration.
Andrew was a co-founder of R3S Global in 2014 and continues to deliver strategic security advice to high-profile clients and events including all recent iterations of the Olympic & Paralympic Games and the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. He is currently working with clients across the UK at both the strategic and tactical level, developing comprehensive security solutions that are wholly integrated, cost effective and complementary to the wider strands of venue management. In 2023 Andrew was appointed as the Senior Security Advisor to the International Olympic Committee and in 2024 he became a member of the Wembley Stadium Independent Advisory Board with responsibility for safety, security and service.
BIO
This presentation covers legal requirements and best practice standards, helping end users identify and select companies with the right competency for their fire safety needs.
BIO
Chris joined the FIA in 2017, driving membership growth to over 1,000 companies while upholding the industry’s highest standards. As Head of Commercial since 2021, Chris continues to champion quality, expanding the association’s commercial strength and ensuring members gain increasing value. His commitment to proof of competency, best practice and sustainable development enables the FIA to deliver ever greater benefits to its members and reinforces the association’s leadership in fire safety.