Cyber team gets strength in numbers

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.