Ben Packman

Chief Strategy Officer, PQShield

Ben has 6 yrs experience specifically in the Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) market, having started working with PQShield founder, Dr Ali El Kaafarani, on day 2 of the business back in 2018 and helped lead the company through its involvement with all PQC schemes announced by NIST to date.

Ben leads PQShield’s global expansion through sales and partner growth across multiple vertical markets, advising customers on their migration to PQC, alongside taking a lead role in briefing both the government and the supply chain on the quantum threat.

A strategic leader and natural problem solver with a proven track record of delivering innovative, creative and successful commercialisation and G2M across a diverse range of business areas, both domestically and internationally. 30+ yrs experience in technology, health, media, and telecoms, as well as advising multiple startups in the UK tech space (Vivacity Labs, Navenio, Latent Logic, ThoughtRiver and more) with international investors, helping to secure over $200m in venture capital and over $15m in grant funding.

James Cruise

Associate director, Head of Quantum Algorithms, Cambridge Consultants

James leads Cambridge Consulting’s efforts in quantum computing and quantum algorithms. He is building quantum computing capabilities across the company to deliver commercial value for clients. This involves bringing together deep technical expertise of quantum computing with an understanding of clients’ challenges to identify and develop key value propositions. He has a particular interest in understanding how hybrid quantum-classical computers and wider novel computation will revolutionise the world. James has experience in understanding the cybersecurity implications and opportunities of quantum computing, recently working with NESO to quantify the quantum threat.

He has over 5 years in the quantum computing industry. Prior to Cambridge Consultants he was a principle quantum scientist at Riverlane where he led the company's research in quantum algorithms. This was proceeded by an academic career where he was an Associate Professor at Heriot Watt University in the Actuarial Maths and Statistics department.

Bob Oates

Associate Director, Cambridge Consultants

Bob Oates is a specialist in the interaction between safety and security for operational technology, critical infrastructure, and IoT devices. He works within the Engineering Assurance Team at Cambridge Consultants, ensuring that intelligent, AI-enabled systems are safe and secure. In addition to his academic background, Bob has over a decade of industrial experience working in the critical national infrastructure, defence, aerospace, nuclear, and maritime domains, including acting as the head of security for the development of the world’s first commercial remotely operated ship. He holds an Honorary Professorship in Safety and Security at De Montfort University.