Ciaran MartinFormer Head of the National Cyber Security Centre and Oxford University Professor

Ciaran Martin is one of the world's pre-eminent authorities on cyber policy and national security. He was the founding Chief Executive of the National Cyber Security Centre, where he spent four years establishing the organisation as a global leader in digital defence. During his tenure as an executive board member at GCHQ, he oversaw the UK's response to over two thousand significant cyber incidents, including the high-profile Wannacry attack. His leadership was instrumental in the UK being ranked first in the world for cybersecurity by the International Telecommunications Union. Following a distinguished twenty-three-year career in the Civil Service, including senior roles at HM Treasury and the Cabinet Office, Ciaran now serves as Professor of Practice in the Management of Public Organisations at the University of Oxford. He has advised five Prime Ministers and navigated complex constitutional negotiations, including the terms for the Scottish independence referendum. His contributions to national security were formally recognised when he was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath in 2020. Now a trusted advisor to private sector boards and international governments, Ciaran specialises in demystifying technical threats for senior leaders. He provides essential clarity on the risks posed by emerging technologies such as 5G, quantum computing, and the Internet of Things. Audiences value his ability to bridge the gap between technical specialists and corporate executives, offering a high-level strategic perspective on protecting digital infrastructure in an increasingly volatile global landscape. On stage, Ciaran Martin is best known for talks on Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity. Audiences leave with a clear, practical view of the subject rather than a generic overview — every keynote is shaped around the brief and the room. Their work resonates with leaders across Technology, where the themes translate directly into team decisions, customer experience and growth strategy. Ciaran Martin is regularly booked for Business Speaker and Conference Speaker, adapting tone, length and format to suit the event — from a 20-minute opener to a full conference keynote with Q&A. Based in UK, Ciaran Martin travels internationally for engagements. To check availability or request a tailored brief for your event, send an enquiry and we'll come back with fees, dates and a short summary of how Ciaran Martin would approach your audience.