Meet the Judges
Come meet the Judges for the Real Cyber Awards 2026
All of them personally selected based on their integrity and their commitment to supporting the Cybersecurity, Data Protection and Privacy industry.
Stuart Coulson - Founder of HiddenText Consultancy
Stuart Coulson is a cyber security expert with over 20 year’s experience in a variety of roles in the cyber industry. He has recently moved into a role as Cyber Ecosystem Project Manager for the University of Manchester on the DiSH Accelerator project, giving cyber startups and entrepreneurs everything they need to grow and succeed in the Manchester region. Stuart has a passion for helping people and companies to grow in the cyber sector resulting in him being nominated for 2 years in a row for Cyber Mentor at the Unsung Heroes Awards.
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Stuart also runs his own consultancy HiddenText concentrates on Security Awareness and Business issues and has previously been supporting one of the UK’s largest government departments to create a bespoke Security Awareness project for approximately three thousand highly-technical staff.
Catherine Knibbs - 2025 Winner at the National Cyber Awards
Human Behaviour Technologist. Psychotherapist and Researcher.
Cath is a Clinical Doctoral Researcher, Online Harms Consultant, Public Speaker, Author (of 4 books to date), Educator and TEDx Speaker. She is a Child/Adult Trauma Psychotherapist. She works with organisations globally regarding child sexual abuse material, Mental health and Immersive Technologies and the harms that can occur in the new digital spaces. She writes about and works with Cybertrauma, this is any trauma that occurs through an internet-ready device or medium.
This is much more than Online Harms covers in its remit to date. She also educates therapists and practitioners via her company Privacy4 about Data protection/privacy/cybersecurity issues in relation to their practice. She disrupts and advocates for children’s rights, privacy, and online digital explorations. Catherine is also a director for Online Safety UK. And, also the mental health advisor for Gamers Beat Cancer.
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Liz Smith - 2025 PICCASO Winner (Data Protection Officer of the Year)
Liz is an award-winning Data Protection Officer with a proven track record of turning complex regulatory requirements into practical, real-world solutions that organisations can confidently implement.
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Beginning her career in data protection in 2019, Liz has dedicated herself to helping businesses embed robust privacy practices that go beyond mere compliance. Her approach treats data protection as an integral part of organisational culture and operations, rather than a box-ticking exercise. A sought-after speaker at national and international conferences, Liz shares actionable insights that empower organisations to build strong, sustainable data protection cultures.
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At the core of Liz’s work is a deep commitment to people. She believes data protection is fundamentally about safeguarding individuals’ rights, choices, dignity, and autonomy. For her, it’s not just professional - it’s personal: “It isn’t just a work thing, it’s a life thing.”
Joe Wells - Creator of Cyberherd
Joe Wells is a cybersecurity practitioner, educator, and the creator behind CyberHerd, a free learning universe that helps young people build safe digital habits through practical, engaging cyber awareness.
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He volunteers widely as a STEM Ambassador and CyberFirst mentor, speaks at events across the UK, and is known for turning complex security concepts into experiences that genuinely resonate with learners of all ages.
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A recent guest on 'Under The Hoodie' Podcast, his passion for helping people in Cybersecurity is inspirational. Along with the time he spends helping others, he has notched up an impressive 850+ consecutive days learning Red and Blue teaming on 'TryHackMe' (That's over 2 years - non-stop learning).
Lee Scorey - Co-founder of Consultants Like Us
Lee has over 25 years experience in the world of Cybersecurity, ISO27001 and Governance, Risk and Compliance. He has honed his technical skills, working in a number of industries and sectors, including financial, commercial and the public sector. Having worked his way from Engineer to Technical Manager and eventually Information Security Consultant, he has a pretty good grasp of what ‘Good security’ looks like!
With over 20 years experience he is still passionate about our industry and is committed to not only helping organisations be more secure, but helping individuals who want to move into the world of Consultancy.
Hazel McPherson - Co-creator of 'CSIDES' and founder of 4Fox Security
Hazel McPherson is the Founder and CEO of 4FOX Security, a UK-based cyber security consultancy focused on plain-English, business-led security.
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A former long-serving CISO in financial services, Hazel has over 25 years’ experience across technology and cyber, supporting organisations from startups to critical national infrastructure. She is known for cutting through noise, translating risk into action, and championing inclusive, community-driven cyber security.
Hazel is also a director of BSides Bristol, founder of CSIDES and a frequent speaker, mentor, and awards judge across the UK cyber community..
Rebecca Forward - Lead Consultant at Consultants Like Us
Rebecca is a certified Lead Auditor for, ISO27001, 9001, 14001 and ISO42001, and a Practitioner Member of the Chartered Quality Institute with a keen interest and background in governance, risk and compliance.
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A senior business compliance and improvement professional, with 20+ years' experience working with ISO management systems and the identification and satisfaction of regulatory, industry and organisational requirements.
An accomplished change manager and communicator, with the ability to identify, establish and implement structures, systems and processes that mitigate risk, maximise opportunity and galvanise corporate cultures and visions.
As a Consultant and trained auditor she has a keen eye for detail and what 'good looks like', which comes in rather handy when judging entries for the Real Cyber Awards!
Jay Adamson - Leader of Secure Cyber Connect
Cyber Community Connector & Podcast Host | Cyber Security Specialist - Connecting Security & Risk Associates with Career Opportunities & High-Quality Business Partnerships Across a Wide Range of Solutions & Services.
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As a Trusted Advisor & Business Partner, he facilitates Strategic Introductions Empowering Both Individuals & Organisations to Build more Robust Security Postures & Risk Management Processes in order to Increase Security Performance & Reduce Breaches.
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He also Leads SECURE | CYBERCONNECT Platform & Host the Podcast Channel....an innovative approach to Solution Identification, Problem-Solving, & Ecosystem Fortification. Addressing Challenges like Community Cohesion, Professional Network Gaps, Knowledge Dissemination & Inclusive Collaboration across Sectors. ​Bringing Together Business, Digital, Technology & Security Professionals, Hosting an Exclusive Online Community, that offers a Suite of Collaborative Platforms, including Mutual Mentoring, Networking, Referral Partnership’s Directory & the SECURE | CYBERCONNECT Podcast.
"The emotion in the room was incredible!
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We've never seen anything like it!
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These are the REAL Awards!"
Perrin Read
Photographer - Roth Read Photography
"The feeling in the room was (again) a REAL party atmosphere.
A total celebration of people who love what they do!"
Lee Scorey
co-founder of Consultants Like Us