Matthew Turner

Tell us about your role

As Head of Operations, I’m responsible for the delivery of all aspects of the Cyber Innovation Hub. I work closely with colleagues from Cardiff University and our delivery partners – Alacrity Foundation, Tramshed Tech and University of South Wales – to create a partnership approach to ensure that the project is delivered to programme. Working closely with Prof Pete Burnap, Director of the Hub, I maintain a strategic view over the set of activities and projects within the scope of the programme and aim to create, maintain and communicate the vision of what we hope the Hub will achieve.

Biggest cyber challenges facing your industry

With my background of working in skills, the biggest challenge I see is the shortage of people coming forward with digital skills. This is a huge challenge across all sectors of the economy and particularly so in the cyber sector. We really need more people to come through and fill the wide variety of roles that are available.

What excites you about the future of cyber in Cardiff

The Cyber Innovation Hub provides us with the opportunity to do something really ground-breaking in South Wales. The Hub can join together all of the various stakeholders and be the catalyst for establishing South Wales as a leading cyber cluster in the UK. We have ambitious targets but each of the Hub partners brings such a wide range of skills and experiences, supported by our industry partners, that I’m sure we can achieve these.

What advice would you give to people thinking of getting into the sector

Do it! If you enjoy solving problems and puzzles then there’s a role for you! If you want to help protect critical national infrastructure and literally help keen the lights on, then there’s a role for you! You don’t have to be a coder or programmer (although we definitely need those too!) as there’s a huge variety in cyber-related roles across the sector. There’s never been a better time to get involved in the cyber sector and there’s a wide variety of ways in to suit people from all backgrounds and stages in their career.