Professor Richard Benham

Professor Richard Benham is a retired academic, best selling author and the founder of The Cyber Trust and The National Cyber Awards.

After careers in banking, law enforcement and business, his time in academia began with the creation of The National MBA in Cyber Security in 2013 which was launched at The House of Commons with cross party support including that of the Prime Minister. The MBA was the first ever degree to receive this honour and he became the World's first formal Professor of Cyber Security Management.

In 2016 Professor Benham was chosen from across academia to write the Inaugural Institute of Directors Cyber White Paper titled" Cyber Security - underpinning the Digital Economy" that was published in March 2016. This received global media acclaim and established the risks and actions needed by businesses to protect themselves.

In 2017 he founded The Cyber Trust, a charity to help educate disadvantaged groups on cyber and digital safety and in 2019 established The National Cyber Awards designed to bring all areas of the sector together and raise funds for various charities.

Actively serving as a reservist army officer Professor Benham has provided advice at the highest level on Cyber Warfare and was responsible for helping to establish the cyber assurance needed for the United Kingdom’s nuclear submarine deterrent.

Since retiring he has been appointed as the Non Executive Chair of TechTalent and several start up Cyber companies as well as holding the independent Chair of Cyber Innovation, Trust and Ethics at Abertay University of Dundee.