I possess a proven track record in the deep-tech “lab-to-market” pipeline through two research-led Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) startups. My work bridges fundamental academic research and practical industry tools, transforming complex AI-driven security theories into fully commercialised, operationally deployed platforms that strengthen national resilience and generate economic value.

📊 Commercialisation Impact At A Glance

• Funding Secured: £550,000+ in private VC investment and competitive Innovate UK grants.
• Technology Readiness: Successfully steered deep-tech research from concept to TRL 8 and TRL 9.
• Team Leadership: Built and scaled multi-disciplinary engineering and research teams up to 10 FTE.
• Core Expertise: Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), OT-IT integration, maritime/land mobile asset security, and AI-enabled cyber deception.

Venture Portfolios

Founder & Chief Scientist | ILLUSIONIQ Limited

*January 2024 – Present *

• Mission: Architected an advanced cyber security startup protecting Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) through cutting-edge AI-enabled cyber deception technology.
• Fundraising & Strategic Investment:
  • Won £500,000 in competitive investment funding by demonstrating high-fidelity threat detection capabilities.
  • Secured £50,000 in UKRI-Innovate UK funding to scale project scoping.
  • Spearhead ongoing growth capital discussions with institutional investors and government bodies.
• Technology Translation & Product Development: Led the transition of complex academic research into a commercial SaaS platform. Directed the development of PLC/SCADA decoys, OT-IT integrations, and automated threat identification mapped to the MITRE ATT&CK framework.
• Business Development & Client Relations: Orchestrated strategic entry into Critical National Infrastructure organisations (energy, water, manufacturing), successfully onboarding businesses and generating active revenue.
• Leadership & Influence: Managed a multi-disciplinary team of 10 security engineers, AI developers, and researchers. Served as a primary industry spokesperson at major venues including Utility Week Future Networks Conference, Bristol Tech Festival, and London Tech Festival.

Head of Research | Reperion (now Cequra)

*June 2022 – December 2023 *

• Mission: Spearheaded R&D to advance security products for mobile industrial assets from conceptual deep-tech research to TRL 8 and TRL 9 (fully commercialised and operationally deployed).
• Technical Product Engineering: Guided production-ready solutions focusing on Position Integrity (GNSS/navigation security), IT/OT Network Integrity, and Digital Asset Integrity for maritime and land assets using resilient communication protocols.
• Detection & Triage: Engineered autonomous, real-time detection systems to monitor and respond to converged cyber-physical threats across sea, land, and air platforms.
• Commercial Transition: Synchronised a team of 7 researchers and agile software developers to deliver validated security prototypes for high-profile sovereign and industrial clients.

🛠️ Industry Translation & Real-World Impact

Beyond scholarly publications, I focus heavily on ensuring research outcomes are adopted by industry to safeguard interconnected legacy systems.

• Collaborative Deployments: Partnered with Synoptix to translate fundamental research on cyber-attack detection into active, deployable capabilities for operational systems.
• Policy & Standards Influence: Actively engage with policy-making bodies regarding EV charging infrastructure security, ensuring academic insights directly inform regulatory frameworks and strategic national decision-making.
• Capacity Building: Direct mentorship and technical training provided to engineers, practitioners, and students to transfer advanced cyber security skill sets into the global workforce.