Session - Welcome and Introduction/Focus
Mark is an experienced senior leader with over 34 years of service in the Royal Air Force behind him. A senior engineering manager and chartered engineer, he has expertise in project and programme management and thrives in challenging environments, delivering outstanding results.
He has an extensive background in delivering IT worldwide, ranging from small, specialised networks to pan-departmental programmes with Ministerial visibility, providing strategic direction to large delivery organisations and delivering successful change in the operations space.
As Director of Defence and Security, Mark has used his in-depth knowledge of the Defence sector to continually improve how Centerprise International deliver a second-to-none service to their customers. This has seen Centerprise International grow and improve our reach and reputation across all areas of the Ministry of Defence.
Speakers
Speakers
Mark Brady
Director Defence and Security, Centerprise International
Rich Spencer
Major General (Retired)
Major General (Retired) Rich Spencer is the founding director of Sallaha Limited, a consultancy that delivers expert digital and defence advice to the UK defence sector, helping to drive better outcomes for both the nation and its armed forces.
He previously served a 36-year career in the British Army, which included seven operational deployments and over 15 years in the MoD acquisition environment. During this time, he led the delivery of both digital capabilities and weapons systems to support the UK’s defence mission
He previously served a 36-year career in the British Army, which included seven operational deployments and over 15 years in the MoD acquisition environment. During this time, he led the delivery of both digital capabilities and weapons systems to support the UK’s defence mission
Paula Lender-Swain
Public Sector Sales Director UKI, Hewlett Packard Enterprise
Paula Lender-Swain leads the Public Sector UKI Business for HPE, covering Defence Central and Secure Government, Healthcare and Higher Education. She has over 30 years experience in the technology sector working for hardware, software and communications vendors covering UKI, EMEA and Global leadership roles. She has also worked across several disciplines including Sales, Marketing Strategy and Business Operations and has an MBA in Business Administration from Cranfield School of Management.
Paula is Non-Exec Director for a larger Multi Academy Trust, a Charity seeking to support Women who experienced Domestic Abuse and a startup focused on Sustainability. She is passionate about proving advice and strategic leadership to these organisations. She has also lead the LGBT+ employee resource groups developing and delivering strategies to develop inclusive cultures.
Paula lives in Wiltshire with her wife and two children and is a keen dog walker, wild water swimmer and Lego enthusiast.
Paula is Non-Exec Director for a larger Multi Academy Trust, a Charity seeking to support Women who experienced Domestic Abuse and a startup focused on Sustainability. She is passionate about proving advice and strategic leadership to these organisations. She has also lead the LGBT+ employee resource groups developing and delivering strategies to develop inclusive cultures.
Paula lives in Wiltshire with her wife and two children and is a keen dog walker, wild water swimmer and Lego enthusiast.
James Brooks
Hybrid Solutions Business Unit Leader, HPE UKIMEA
James has 20 years’ of industry experience across Telecommunications and IT having occupied global roles in both Service Providers and Technology vendors.
Currently he works at Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) leading the Hybrid Solutions Business Unit across UK Ireland
Middle East Africa (UKIMEA) responsible for bringing the Edge to Cloud portfolio together for customers and partners.
James has had a diverse set of leadership roles within HPE. Most recently running the Technology and Solutions Group including the PreSales, Chief Technologists, HPE GreenLake, Financial Services and Top Accounts sales organisations. James drove a transformation to pivot the teams to a co-creation engagement model.
Previously James was the Client Executive for Vodafone where he managed a global team and prior to that was the Account Manager for British Telecom. Formally he helped establish Scottish and Southern Energy’s Telecoms division building and executing the major accounts program. He started his career as a graduate with British Telecom where he delivered projects across Marketing, Sales, Engineering, Operations and Finance building a comprehensive understanding of how technology companies work.
James holds a Stanford Innovation and Entrepreneurship Certificate, an Economics degree from Exeter University and is a mentor at the Alacrity foundation. James has recently completed the Chief Technology Officer Program at the University of Cambridge.
James has had a diverse set of leadership roles within HPE. Most recently running the Technology and Solutions Group including the PreSales, Chief Technologists, HPE GreenLake, Financial Services and Top Accounts sales organisations. James drove a transformation to pivot the teams to a co-creation engagement model.
Previously James was the Client Executive for Vodafone where he managed a global team and prior to that was the Account Manager for British Telecom. Formally he helped establish Scottish and Southern Energy’s Telecoms division building and executing the major accounts program. He started his career as a graduate with British Telecom where he delivered projects across Marketing, Sales, Engineering, Operations and Finance building a comprehensive understanding of how technology companies work.
James holds a Stanford Innovation and Entrepreneurship Certificate, an Economics degree from Exeter University and is a mentor at the Alacrity foundation. James has recently completed the Chief Technology Officer Program at the University of Cambridge.
Alex Henderson
Director, Hampden Consultancy Group
Alex is the Director of Hampden Consultancy Group (HCG), where he draws on a distinguished career dedicated to advancing Cyber Security and Secure by Design principles within the UK Ministry of Defence and wider government.
As a trusted advisor and recognised expert in cyber resilience, Alex leads HCG in delivering strategic advice and resilient solutions that support some of the nation’s most critical and sensitive programmes. His reputation is founded on his pragmatic approach to risk management and his ability to translate complex technical requirements into actionable, output-focused outcomes, enabling successful delivery without compromising security.
Alex is a leading advocate for Secure by Design, shaping policy and embedding security throughout programme & project lifecycles. At HCG, he ensures organisations strengthen their cyber resilience with tailored, forward-looking solutions that meet the ever-changing demands of UK national security.
As a trusted advisor and recognised expert in cyber resilience, Alex leads HCG in delivering strategic advice and resilient solutions that support some of the nation’s most critical and sensitive programmes. His reputation is founded on his pragmatic approach to risk management and his ability to translate complex technical requirements into actionable, output-focused outcomes, enabling successful delivery without compromising security.
Alex is a leading advocate for Secure by Design, shaping policy and embedding security throughout programme & project lifecycles. At HCG, he ensures organisations strengthen their cyber resilience with tailored, forward-looking solutions that meet the ever-changing demands of UK national security.
