MARSH appoints Sir Iain Labban as Senior Adviser, Cyber Risk
February 2016 by Marc Jacob
Marsh announced the appointment of Sir Iain Lobban KCMG CB, former Director of the UK security and intelligence organisation GCHQ, as Senior Adviser on Cyber Risk. In the newly-created role, Sir Iain will provide strategic advice as Marsh works with governments, regulators and clients on how best to address the growing threat of cyber risk. He will report to Mark Weil, CEO, Marsh UK & Ireland and join Marsh’s global Cyber Centre of Excellence.
Sir Iain was Director of GCHQ – the Government Communications Headquarters – between 2008 and 2014 having previously served as Director General of Operations from 2004. As the Director of GCHQ he attended meetings of the UK National Security Council and was a member of the Joint Intelligence Committee.
Cyber security, both in the UK and internationally, was the major focus of Sir Iain’s tenure at GCHQ. He integrated the intelligence and security arms of GCHQ to develop the UK’s cyber defence capability and operations, as well as driving initiatives in support of UK military campaigns, counter terrorism, and the prevention and detection of serious crime.
Marsh’s UK 2015 Cyber Risk Survey Report found that, while cyber risk featured on the risk registers of almost 75% of firms, senior-level engagement was worryingly low. Corporate directors were primarily responsibility for cyber risks in less than one fifth (19.4%) of the organisations surveyed, while IT departments oversaw management of the risk in more than half (55.5%).