Dr Niel Kempson, CB FR
Eng CEO
Niel Kempson worked for GCHQ for 42 years, most recently as the Director General for Technology—the most senior cyber technologist in UK Government. At the heart of British intelligence, he was responsible for science and technology, from blue-sky research through to operational deployment and management. He was at the forefront of GCHQ’s success in harnessing data analysis technologies for the intelligence and cyber security missions.
Kempson has also served on an Executive Advisory Board for a global multi-billion dollar IT services company, and as a Non-Executive Director on the oversight board of a national research and development agency. He was a Member of the National Security Council (Officials) for Science and Technology, contributing to the development of national policy and strategy for the threats and opportunities posed by technology-related threats (specifically including cyber). In recognition of his contribution to technology and national security, Kempson was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2018. Kempson retired from Government service at the end of 2018 and is now pursuing his second career in the private sector. He is advising a number of organisations—from startups to multinationals—on cyber, data exploitation and innovation.