This International Women’s Day, we’re proud to celebrate the incredible women who help drive resilience and progress at The North East Business Resilience Centre. As we recognise the achievements of women around the world and the importance of gender equality, we’re sharing three fantastic women who play an important role in the NEBRC.
Cyber security is one of the fastest-growing industries globally, with roles in the sector more than doubling since 2020. However, despite this, women still represent only 24% of the global cyber security workforce. AT NEBRC, we’re proud that 60% of our team are women, and today we are celebrating their journeys and achievements.
Our team of women consists of Lizzie, Chantelle, and Lydia, and this International Women’s Day, we asked them to share what it means to them to be women in the industry.
Lizzie Young – Operations and Relationships Manager
Lizzie joined the Centre in September 2019 through South Yorkshire Police, having just graduated from university studying Criminology. She joined the Centre in a Project Support capacity on a temporary contract, but then developed into a Client Relations role, and has progressed further and is now the NEBRC’s Operations and Relationships Manager. She has responsibility for managing the Centre’s operations and engagement with the businesses’ stakeholders. While working for the Centre, Lizzie has completed a Master’s Degree in International Security, during which she completed research into small businesses’ understanding of cyber security and the factor that might encourage engagement. She has also completed her CMI L5 Operations Manager Apprenticeship with a Distinction. Talking about her role, Lizzie states the following:
“It’s really rewarding to work for an organisation that really cares about individual development and progression. Cyber security is quite a niche field, so I feel lucky to have been given opportunities for further learning and the ability to develop personally and professionally. The Centre also works to feed the student talent pipeline, and I have been a key part of this, working to host local Student Chapter events, where we provide new students and graduates with mentoring and coaching, and the ability to receive guidance on how to pursue a career within cyber security. In past events, we have heard about the career stories of people within the field, including women and their experiences of working within cyber security. This provides encouragement to future employees aspiring to join the industry.”
Chantelle Whitham – Marketing and Communications Manager
Chantelle joined the NEBRC in January 2022 after deciding on a complete career change and had no prior experience in cyber security. Formerly a self-employed beautician, Chantelle understands the highs and lows of running a business and couldn’t wait to get started helping the local SME community in her first role as Business Admin Assistant. She has since worked her way to management level and is now our Marketing and Communications Manager, overseeing our marketing and events, customer journeys, website, and social media channels. Chantelle has completed some entry level cyber security training to enhance her knowledge and has recently achieved a Distinction in her CMI Level 5 Operations and Departmental Manager Apprenticeship. Chantelle says:
“I am really proud to be a part of such an amazing team, and it only makes it more rewarding to be surrounded by and work closely with strong, inspiring women who are breaking the stereotypes in cyber security. I had no idea I would have a chance to get into an industry such as cyber before I went for this role, which is part of the problem, but I would encourage any female to look into cyber security roles, whether you’re deciding on your future career or looking for a change!”
Lydia Stone – Business Assistant
Lydia is our newest recruit and joined us in October 2023, providing admin and executive support to the core management team in her role as Business Assistant. Lydia’s background includes customer service and hospitality; she has a first-class degree in Criminology and has recently completed a Master’s degree in International Business and Marketing to contribute further research into the NEBRC:
“I am really enjoying my role working with the NEBRC, my team are really supportive and have helped me along my journey to go for a master’s degree. It was refreshing to see Lizzie and Chantelle when I first walked through the doors to my interview, as I thought working in cyber security there would be more men than women, which is a common misconception, so I’m really happy to be part of a business that is helping break down these stereotypes”.
This International Women’s Day, we are celebrating the achievements of our team as well as all of the women working to shape the future of cyber security. By sharing stories like these, we hope to inspire more women to see cyber security as a career path.
The North East Business Resilience Centre is proud to challenge stereotypes and champion inclusion. Our team is stronger because of the talented women within it, and we are committed to creating opportunities and helping build a more diverse and inclusive industry in the future.