Robert Hannigan is a cyber security and conflict authority, who previously held the role of Director of the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ). Having worked extensively in both the public and private sector of international security, Hannigan is one the most valuable speakers to offer implementable tactics to corporate clients. Revered by former Prime Minister, Tony Blair, for his creativity in solving conflicts and communication tactics, Hannigan has since been a transformative speaker for a number of high profile audiences, backed by over two decades of personal experience.
As the Director of GCHQ Hannigan was responsible for signals intelligence, cryptography and building relations between tech companies, specifically in Silicon Valley, and the intelligence agency. For eight years, Hannigan held a number of roles, including Director-General of Defence and Intelligence, and as a member of the Defence Innovation External Advisory Panel. He made influential contributions to British international communications and established the National Cyber Security Centre for government operations.
Prior to his involvement with GCHQ, Hannigan spent seven years at the Northern Ireland Office, in progressive positions creating peace with the Northern Ireland ‘Troubles’. Additionally, Hannigan was honoured with a newly created post of Prime Minister’s Security Advisor in 2007, acting also as the Head of Security, Intelligence, and Resilience at the Cabinet Office, specially selected by Blair for his unparalleled expertise. For three years at Downing Street Hannigan coordinated between the government and intelligence services and led high profile reviews into corrupted data breaches. For his service to national security Hannigan was named CMG in the 2013 New Years Honours.
Since transitioning into the private sector in 2017, Hannigan has operated as an advisor to a number of global brands, including the Cyber Security Special Adviser at Hiscox, and Senior Advisor to McKinsey & Company. With decades of expertise and trusted government relations, Hannigan is highly in demand as a consultant, and currently is the Chairman of BlueVoyant International, providing cyber security. A professional and revered authority in the industry, Hannigan is the ideal speaker to offer insight on cyber security, conflict management and effective communication to individuals and corporate clients.
How to hire Robert Hannigan
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Robert Hannigan for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
When he's at corporate events, Robert is known to cover the following topics:
- Cyber security
- Technology and innovation
- Business management
- Computer science
- Security and risk
- Cyber threat
- 2018 - Named a Senior Fellow at the Belfast Centre for Science and International Affairs
- 2018 - Named Chairman of Blue Voyant International
- 2017 - A Distinguished Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute
- 2017 - Named on the Government's new Defence Innovation Advisory Panel
- 2017 - A Fellow at The Institution of Engineering and Technology
- 2014 - Named director of GCHQ
- 2015 - An Honourary Fellow at Wadham College, The University of Oxford
- 2013 - Awarded a CMG
- 2010 - Named Director-General of Defence and Intelligence
- 2011 - Chaired the UK’s Joint Intelligence Committee,
- 2007 - Named Prime Minister's Security Advisor
- Led the creation of the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre
