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Meet the Team

Becky

Rebecca Chapman

CEO/Director

Rebecca is a retired Superintendent with 30 years policing experience across uniform and CID disciplines. Steering the North East Business Resilience Centre, her leadership is defined by a steadfast commitment to cyber crime prevention and fraud advice for small and medium enterprises. The role leverages her extensive background in law enforcement and mentoring to advance a police-led initiative within the national cyber network and regional forces.

As a seasoned professional in crisis and risk management, her focus converges on strategic negotiations and partnerships that span police forces, public offices, and academic circles. The mission of the NEBRC under her direction is to foster a collaborative environment where law enforcement, academia, and industry unite to safeguard communities and support victims post-incident.

Rebecca holds a Certificate and Diploma in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors and a 2:1 law degree from Sheffield. Rebecca is married to a retired Police Superintendent , lives in Sheffield and has two children currently at Uni. She is also vice -chair of a local children’s Hospice.

Steve

Stephen Leach

Head of Business Development
Steve is a Detective Inspector with 29 years policing experience, the majority spent within CID, both at a Force and Regional level. Steve has always had an interest in the digital and cyber world. Prior to joining the police he graduated university with an Electronic Systems Engineering degree. Within the police he has worked in internet investigations and managed communication data investigators, radio frequency technicians and Digital Forensic Examiners. He was part of the team that was responsible for creating the force-wide Cyber Crime Unit. He has been with the NEBRC from inception and is proud to be celebrating 6 years and counting helping businesses within the region stay safe from online threats. Steve is married and lives in Yorkshire with his wife and children.

Martin

Martin Wilson

Head of Student Services
Detective Inspector Martin Wilson of Durham Constabulary has 21 years policing experience across various policing roles. Prior to joining the NEBRC, Martin was part of the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) where he specialised in Cyber Protect, Prevent and Prepare work streams, leading on new and innovative work, helping businesses understand and prepare for cyber-attack. Martin holds an MSc in Cyber Security (with distinction) and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Abertay University, focusing on cybersecurity for small businesses. His research explores how UX-based methodologies can help convey essential cybersecurity insights to providers serving SMEs. Based in the North East, Martin enjoys spending time in the countryside and staying active in his spare time.

Lizzie

Lizzie Young

Operations and Relationships Manager
As Operations and Relationships Manager for the NEBRC, Lizzie is part of the leadership team for the organisation and is responsible for designing and controlling the businesses operations to ensure streamlined production of membership and services. Lizzie also builds and manages relationships with key stakeholders and clients engaging with the Centre. She also assists in managing the ethical hacking students in delivering our Student Services workstream.

Lizzie was initially seconded from South Yorkshire Police as part of the project team to coordinate and support the implementation of the network of Centre’s. Prior to her current role, Lizzie performed roles in business support and client relations.

Lizzie holds a BA degree in Criminology and an MSc degree in International Security. She has also completed various courses relating to Cyber Security including the NPCC Computing and Networking and NPCC Cybercrime Protect and Prepare. In addition to this, she has completed the IASME Cyber Essentials Implementation Course to help support SMEs in navigating the journey to achieving CE. Lizzie also completed Prince2 and has completed a L5 CMI Leadership and Management Qualification, achieving a Distinction.

In her spare time, Lizzie is usually outdoors trying to tire out her working Cocker Spaniel 🐶 or spending time with family and friends.

Chantelle

Chantelle Whitham

Marketing and Communications Manager
Chantelle is responsible for a Marketing and Communications Manager role, overseeing the marketing function and promoting our memberships and services. Chantelle also organises and attends any affiliated events, works closely with our partners to ensure our members receive engaging and educational content to help protect them from online crime and fraud.

Chantelle has experience across a number of sectors including retail, beauty, spa and wellness. She has achieved a first class Bachelor’s degree in International Spa Management and a first class Master’s degree in Marketing Management from the University of Derby. These degrees contributed to her becoming a successful, self-employed beauty therapist.

Chantelle is a Certified in Cyber Security member of the (ISC)2 organisation and has completed her Ethical Hacking, Network Defense and Digital Forensics Essentials courses certified by EC Council, to build on her knowledge of cyber security to help businesses understand the importance of staying safe. She is also working towards a  L5 CMI Leadership and Management Qualification. Living just outside Sheffield, Chantelle enjoys socialising with her friends and partner, watching Formula 1 and keeping fit in the gym.
Joe

Joe Cockcroft

Service and Technology Supervisor

Joe is the Service and Technology Supervisor for the NEBRC and is a Cyber Security graduate of Northumbria University. Joe joined the NEBRC as a student Ethical Hacker in 2020 and has since gone full-time in a role where he supervises and supports the delivery of student services to clients.

Joe is currently working on his Offensive Security Certified Professional certificate, an ethical hacking certification which will build on Joe’s already extensive technical knowledge. He has also completed the Cyber Scheme Team Member exam.

Prior to joining the NEBRC, Joe worked as a web developer and has used this knowledge to build a wealth of experience in web app testing, as well as developing a new web app-based service. Joe lives in Sheffield and when not watching Formula 1, likes to spend his spare time with friends.

Lydia

Lydia Stone

Business Assistant
Lydia is our Business Assistant, she provides general admin and executive support to the core management team including diaries, events, and project programmes. Lydia’s role involves communication with key stakeholders, preparing minutes as well as supporting at events and engaging with businesses.

Lydia has previous experience in customer service and hospitality and is looking forward to showcasing her interpersonal skills and meeting new people.

She is currently working towards achieving a Masters’ in International Business and Marketing and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology, Lydia hopes in the future to deepen her knowledge through further education and specialised courses.

Lydia is currently living in Sheffield and in her free time enjoys seeing friends and going out for long walks in nature.

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