The UK telecommunications sector underpins critical national infrastructure, supporting fixed, mobile, and data connectivity for millions of consumers, businesses, and government services. With increased regulatory scrutiny, complex supply chains, and heightened cyber and physical security risks, security leadership in this industry demands deep technical expertise, regulatory fluency, and strong executive communication. The following CISOs and security leaders play key roles in shaping how major UK telecom organisations manage cyber risk, resilience, and compliance at scale.
Stuart Seymour — Group Chief Security Officer (CISO & CSO), Virgin Media O2
Stuart Seymour is Group Chief Security Officer (CISO and CSO) at Virgin Media O2, where he is responsible for all aspects of security and resilience across cyber security, data security, physical security, investigations, crisis management, business continuity, and disaster recovery. His remit covers the fixed and mobile networks serving more than 30 million customers and over 45 million connections, including government services and the UK’s largest IoT programme, Smart Metering. He leads a security organisation of approximately 175 FTEs with a budget of around £30 million, protecting revenues of £11 billion.
Seymour oversees regulatory security compliance with Ofcom and delivery of the Telecoms Security Act programme from 2023 to 2028. He brings over 25 years of global security leadership experience, with a background in building and transforming security functions within large multinational organisations. Known for his ability to communicate complex security issues to boards and shareholders, he has received multiple industry recognitions, including CSO 30 UK #1 CISO in 2023 and Outstanding CISO of the Year at the 2024 Cyber OSPAS awards.
Dan Evans — Head of Cyber Security (CISO), VodafoneThree
Dan Evans has served as Head of Cyber Security UK at Vodafone since May 2019, leading cyber security across Vodafone’s UK operations. He sits on both the Global Cyber Security Leadership Team and the UK Technology Leadership Team, with responsibility for improving control effectiveness, reducing cyber risk, and protecting Vodafone and its customers. His role includes defining and implementing security strategy aligned to business priorities while supporting Vodafone’s broader digital transformation.
Evans is responsible for developing highly engaged security teams and driving cyber awareness across the organisation. His leadership focuses on organisational and technical transformation, clear decision-making across stakeholders, and operational performance that supports both security and business objectives. He is also involved in Vodafone’s transition toward a more centralised cyber security function spanning the wider Vodafone group.
Dr. Peter Anton — Head of Cyber for Vodafone Networks; Deputy Global Head of Cyber Strategy, Architecture & Secure by Design, Vodafone
Dr. Peter Anton is accountable for global cyber security risk reduction across Vodafone’s network environments, including mobile, fixed, interconnect, transport, and data connectivity networks. His responsibilities include ensuring that Vodafone’s global cyber security strategy, policies, and controls are consistently implemented across network operations worldwide, while balancing business priorities with security requirements.
He manages network-related cyber security incidents, oversees risk identification and reporting to technology leadership, and coordinates responses to new telecommunications regulations. As Deputy Global Head of Cyber Strategy, Architecture and Secure by Design, Anton brings more than 25 years of experience across security, IT, networks, service delivery, and operations. He has extensive experience operating in multicultural environments and engaging at board level, translating cyber security concepts into clear business context.
Michele Hanson — Chief Information Security Officer, Hyperoptic
Michele Hanson is CISO at Hyperoptic, where she is responsible for the development and implementation of the organisation’s cyber security strategy in line with business objectives and risk appetite. Her role spans enterprise security leadership, M&A-related security activity, and executive engagement, ensuring that cyber risk is addressed as part of business growth and transformation.
Hanson is an advocate for building a positive and modern cyber security culture, focusing on aligning security practices with organisational goals while promoting awareness and accountability across the business. Her background combines technical leadership with strategic oversight, supporting Hyperoptic’s position as a growing alternative network provider in the UK market.
Zoran Rajic — Head of Cyber Security Futures & Field CISO, BT Group
Zoran Rajic is Head of Cyber Security Futures and Field CISO at BT Group, a role he assumed in August 2024 following more than two decades in senior technology and security positions within the organisation. His current focus includes cyber security strategy, tooling, and future-facing security capabilities, supporting BT’s evolving technology and service landscape.
Rajic previously led complex cyber security solutions delivery, IT automation, analytics, monitoring, and cyber security systems and tools, as well as global data centre strategy and transformation initiatives. His career at BT spans architecture, systems integration, and service design, providing him with deep operational and technical insight. This breadth of experience supports his work in shaping practical, scalable cyber security approaches across BT’s enterprise and customer environments.
Securing UK Telecommunications
Together, these security leaders reflect the scale and complexity of cyber security leadership in UK telecommunications. Their roles span national infrastructure protection, global network security, regulatory compliance, organisational transformation, and security culture development. As the sector continues to evolve under regulatory, technological, and threat-driven pressure, their work remains central to maintaining trust, resilience, and continuity across the UK’s critical connectivity ecosystem.