A charity that regulates the cyber security education and skills sector has appointed its first permanent chief executive.
The UK Cyber Security Council has brought in Simon Hepburn to succeed Don MacIntyre, who was appointed as interim chief executive by the board of trustees in January during the council’s formation.
Hepburn is the founder of a company called Black Star, which provides businesses with advice in areas such as diversity, inclusion, careers and employability, but he will take a step back from this position.
In December, he left his role as UK director of programmes at the social action charity City Year UK, where he led on school partnerships, programme design and delivery.
Hepburn has previously held senior positions at the disability charity Scope and The Children’s Society. He also spent more than two years as a trustee of the charity leaders body Acevo and was formerly part of the BBC’s Charity Appeals Advisory Committee.
He said: “I make no secret of my passion for supporting people and organisations to reach their full potential and make a positive contribution to society. It has been at the heart of my career to date.”
The council’s formation began with the launch of the government’s National Cyber Security Strategy in November 2016, which included plans to develop and accredit the cyber security profession.
The council was created in December 2018 and appointed its first trustees two years later and was granted charitable status by the Charity Commission in July this year.
Claudia Natanson, chair of the council, said Hepburn would bring passion and energy to the role.
She added: “Simon’s record is one of delivering at the sharp end of education and careers for charitable organisations like the council.”