Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden has been announced as the new Chair of the North West Cyber Resilience Centre’s ,Guidance Council (NWCRC).

Our Guidance Council oversees the work of the Cyber Resilience Centre and is made up of representatives in policing, the private and public sectors and academia.

In December, Andrew visited the Cyber Resilience Centre and met with the Cyber Resilience Centre board. He also had time to talk with staff and students to learn more about how we tackle business cybercrime, particularly with small and medium-sized enterprises across Lancashire and the North West.

As head of the Guidance Council, Andrew will help to increase the centre's reach across Lancashire and the wider North West region, building on the work we've already achieved since 2019.

Andrew Snowden, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire said:

“I’m delighted to take on this important role, supporting the Cyber Resilience Centre as it leads the efforts in helping businesses across the North West become more resilient to cyber-attacks and stop online criminals in their tracks."

“By working with the NWCRC to support organisations in Lancashire as well as other areas in the region, we can make life much harder for offenders, prevent new victims, and stay one step ahead of criminals in what is a fast paced, ever changing landscape."

“This role underpins my Fighting Crime Plan priority to disrupt and dismantle organised crime, as we take the fight to the organised crime gangs that increasingly use digital space as an opportunity to profit from the misery of others. We won’t stand for that here in Lancashire or anywhere in the North West, a key message I will continue to send both as Commissioner and through the NWCRC.”

ACC Jo Edwards, Director at the North West Cyber Resilience Centre said:

“I’m delighted on behalf of the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit and NW Cyber Resilience Centre to welcome the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire Andrew Snowden to our digital hub here in Manchester. Andrew has recently taken on the role of the chair of our guidance council and will provide invaluable support to the network."

“We look forward to building on the great foundations we have already established with Greater Manchester businesses by launching the NWCRC in Lancashire and the wider North West region."

“I know that by having Andrew as the new chair of the guidance Council he will continue the fantastic work of Baroness Bev Hughes in supporting the NWCRC to move forward and continue to protect our local business from online crime.”

The NWCRC was set up in 2019 as a national pathfinder to support businesses in the region with the growing threat of cybercrime and online fraud. We have since expanded to cover the North West and rolled out to other regions across England and Wales and included in the, HM Government National Cyber Strategy 2022. The NWCRC now has over 700 members and we look forward to our continued expansion in 2023.