Cyber security chief to chair education charity’s board

The UK Cyber Security Council’s chief executive Simon Hepburn has been appointed to chair the board of mentoring and education charity ReachOut.

Hepburn is also a visiting professor at Aston University in Birmingham and has worked as director of Academies Enterprise Trust and City Year UK, as assistant director at the Children’s Society and as a trustee of ACEVO.

He has been CEO of the UK Cyber Security Council, which is responsible for professional standards in this sector, since September 2021.

ReachOut was formed 20 years ago to support young people in disadvantaged communities build their confidence and skills.

Hepburn left school without substantial qualifications and attended further education college to train as a chef, where he later trained young chefs entering the profession. He has also worked with young people on bail in London to help address reoffending.

📣 We're excited to announce the appointment of Professor Simon Hepburn as our new Chair of Trustees!

Simon takes up the role as part of a distinguished career across the charity, education and skills sectors.

➡️ Find out more about Simon on our website: https://t.co/qY2uVTqCUk
— ReachOut (@ReachOutUK) August 1, 2023

“I have had a mentor for most of my life from a young person to a CEO,” said Hepburn.

“This mentorship was a safe place to have open and honest conversations, run ideas and challenges by them as a sounding board and to learn from their knowledge and experience.

“I was attracted to the chair of ReachOut post because I believe in the mission that every young person should be equipped with the skills and behaviours they need to go on to lead good, happy, and successful lives.”

The charity’s chief executive Alice Memminger added: “Simon brings with him extensive experience across the charity sector and is a true advocate for young people.

“The skills and expertise he can offer will be highly valuable to ReachOut as we celebrate our 20th anniversary as a charity, and embark on developing a new strategy that will expand our reach and impact.”