We’re delighted to welcome and announce Mike Kapur, OBE, as a Strategic Advisor to the Board at the East Midlands Cyber Resilience Centre.

Mike is a leading East Midlands businessman who has three decades of successful board room experience in both private and public sector organisations, and we’re looking forward to working alongside him and to harness his vast experience and social standing to make the EMCRC widely known throughout the region.

The police-led, not-for-profit EMCRC exists to promote cyber security and cyber resilience to SMEs via free guidance and affordable services, as well as working closely with cyber experts who can help businesses strengthen their Cyber security.

Mike has recognised the benefits that the Centre has to offer and will bring a plethora of expertise and insight to the table in what is an exciting time for us, with the launch of a new website and new free services in place. We’re sure Mike’s wisdom and proficiency within business, together with his connections throughout the community, will only enhance our offerings.

Mike is a Chartered Accountant by trade, having had careers at both KPMG - where he was Senior Manager in Computer Audit - and Ernst & Young, before taking a role as Group Finance & IT Director in industry.

He is a Founder & Director of technology company Signum Corporate Communications; Chairman of the National Space Centre; Chairman of the Leicester City Football Club Community Trust; and is an Independent Panel Member for DEFRA and the Department of Health on Chair and Chief Executive appointments.

Formerly, he was Chairman of the CBI’s SME Council where he was a national figurehead for SME issues, Deputy Chairman and Chair of Audit and Risk Committees of both University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and De Montfort University, a Trustee of National Learning & Work Institute, and a Governor of Derby College Group.

He served as a Deputy Lieutenant of Leicestershire from 2015 before being appointed Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire in 2018, a position he still proudly holds. In 2017 Mike was made an OBE for Services to Science, Technology, Business & Enterprise.

With this background, he brings a fresh impetus to the Centre, and we envisage an extremely prosperous partnership, something our Managing Director, Colin Ellis, is thrilled about:

“I am so pleased that Mike is joining our management board here at the Cyber Resilience Centre. His appointment is a real coup for us and shows the Centre is making positive progress.

The breadth and depth of his business and board room acumen cannot be overstated and he will add significant value to us as we look to grow and serve our SME communities.

For years Mike has demonstrated his profound commitment to Leicestershire and the east midlands region, as well a passion for helping businesses thrive and an understanding that cyber security is key to this.

Mike’s willingness to support the centre is further evidence of this. Thanks for agreeing to help us Mike and welcome aboard.”

As Colin said, Mike’s appointment is a real coup, and we are confident that we can benefit from his far-reaching knowledge and passionate outlook, both within business and the region.

Mr Kapur said of his appointment:

“It is vital SMEs understand and improve their cyber resilience. The EMCRC is ideally placed to help, and I’m delighted to be joining them.”

Mike is a truly exceptional addition to the EMCRC, and it shows our ambition as a Centre that we wish to partner with outstanding business leaders and organisations.

But our ambition doesn’t end there, we’re seeking other distinguished businesses and motivational business leaders to support us by joining our board.

If you would like to support our important community work and join Mike as a Strategic Advisor to the Board, or feel you can bring equal skill, vision and ingenuity to the Centre in other areas, then please contact us via our website or contact Colin Ellis via his LinkedIn account.

Reporting

Report all Fraud and Cybercrime to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or online. Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk. Report SMS scams by forwarding the original message to 7726 (spells SPAM on the keypad).