May 6, 2021 Daniel Peters
Category : News

The team at the Midlands Quarter – Centre for Cyber Security has been strengthened with the appointment of two cyber experts. 

Ollie Olver and Rachael Percival have joined the team on short-term contracts as Knowledge Transfer Manager (KTM) Cyber Consultants who will shape and deliver the client offer to local organisations. 

The new £9 million centre was handed over in December 2020 by contractor, Speller Metcalfe and is due to officially open later this year. Based on Skylon Park, Hereford Enterprise Zone, Herefordshire is fast becoming the UK’s leading centre of excellence in cyber security, supporting innovation and industry in this growing sector. 

The centre is a joint venture between the University of Wolverhampton and Herefordshire Council and part-funded by the Government’s Local Growth Fund, via the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). 

Ollie has over 30 years’ experience in the Defence, Communications and Cyber sectors and specialises in blending people, processes and technology, securely. He is currently the CEO & Principal Consultant for Cyclopz Group Ltd, a Hereford-based company with a global reach. 

He said: “I bring a vast amount of knowledge from across a wide spectrum of global organisations where there has been a need for fast and effective Digital Cyber Leadership and Management. 

“It’s my passion to lead and enable organisations to be safer, more efficient and resilient and I’m really looking forward to help shape the future of the Cyber Quarter.” 

Rachael holds CREST accreditation as a Threat Intelligence Analyst alongside a number of cyber related certificates. She has specialised in the Security and Intelligence sector throughout her entire career, was the first female to pass the ‘Women in Cyber Academy’, has worked as an International Close Protection Officer, a Police Response Officer and in the Armed Forces. 

Rachael said: “I enjoy helping minimise the risk of people’s cyber security presence and in this new role will be looking to advise businesses on their digital footprint.  As an intelligence analyst first and foremost, my aim will be to analyse the current security risk then advise on how best to manage them.   

“Data is a very sensitive, yet important, part of our everyday lives and I will be giving tailored advice on how best to protect data using the experience I’ve gained in my roles with the police and the military. 

“My work will be focused on raising awareness for businesses in order to reduce the risk of being attacked. Statistics show that cyber attacks have increased by 600% since March 2020 and everyone is a target.” 

Cyber Quarter – Midlands Centre for Cyber Security will offer a package of tailored security testing, training, Research & Development and sector expertise to businesses and investors. 

Supported by the university’s Wolverhampton Cyber Research Institute (WCRI), the centre will offer product testing and certification, CPD and short courses and cyber conferences like the recent Cyber Fringe Festival, attracting experts from across the globe.  

The 2,000 square metre building will provide significant resources for research and development across three cyber laboratories, advanced training facilities as part of the University’s Wolverhampton Cyber Research Institute and additional business space for up to 16 cyber companies. 

The centre, which secured £2.82m of funding via the Marches LEP’s Growth Deal with Government in 2017, is part of the new Cyber Quarter at Skylon Park, already home to numerous defence and security sector businesses.