YCSC

Meet the team

“To create a cyber security community for which there is a mutual benefit for all.” – Melanie Oldham OBE

Become a Member

Operational Team

Farnaaz Ghazaani

Cluster Manager

Farnaaz Ghazaani

Farnaaz graduated from the University of Leeds with a First Class MEng, BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence degree, having completed an industry placement year working as a cyber security analyst within NHS Digital's Cyber Security Operations Centre. Her role as Cluster Manager entails managing the development of the cluster and cluster activities, including organising YCSC events.

Melissa Faulkner

Social Media & Marketing Executive

Melissa Faulkner

Melissa is an experienced content creator, having started her own business within interior design and UGC content for brands. She came into cyber security to help share cyber security in a new light using her social media expertise.  

Steering Committee

Melanie Oldham OBE

Melanie Oldham OBE

YCSC founder and one of the directors of UKC3, Melanie is also CEO of Bob's Business, the cyber security awareness training company. An Executive in Residence at Sheffield Hallam University, Melanie was awarded an OBE for her services to cyber security in 2022 and aims to create a safer world online for all.

Mike Hudson

Mike Hudson

Mike is the YCSC: East Yorkshire Chapter Lead. With over 20 years in the industry, Mike is an experienced Cyber Security Manager at Arco and a Cyber First Schools ambassador. Mike has a keen passion for application and web development technologies, and is always learning new technologies and languages. 

Anya Bridges

Anya Bridges

Anya’s dedication to putting others first is a large part of what makes her such a groundbreaking and an increasingly valuable member of the industry. Alongside running various projects in the skills, innovation and ecosystem working groups to benefit the regional cyber security ecosystem.

Michael Faulks FCIIS

Michael Faulks FCIIS

Michael is a YCSC: South Yorkshire Chapter Lead. CTO and Co-Founder of Ioetec Ltd, Michael is an experienced consultant with over 40 years in the industry specialising in cyber security and embedded computing. After completing a Masters in Cyber Security, Michael joined Sheffield Hallam University as an Associate Lecturer where he taught cryptography and secure system design.

Dr Andrea Cullen

Dr Andrea Cullen

Andrea is the YCSC: West Yorkshire Chapter Lead. Andrea has worked in cyber for almost 20 years in a number of roles, the most recent of which is as a Co-founder of CAPSLOCK, an award-winning cyber bootcamp. She previously worked as a senior academic; co-authoring and delivering a GCHQ-certified Masters cyber security degree and publishing extensively in the area of computer science and cyber security. She has also spent time in industry working as a cyber consultant to public and private sector organisations. She was recently granted full membership to the Chartered Institute of Information Security and is passionate about helping the cyber industry become a more diverse place to learn and work.

Paul Wheway

Paul Wheway

Paul was a full time lecturer in Cyber Security and Computer Networks for 20+ years at Sheffield Hallam University up until March 2022, managing academic staff, a strong portfolio of Degree Programmes, and establishing certification by the NCSC for the Masters Degree in Cyber Security.  Since then his main interest has been establishing a secure river water quality data analytic system, as a co-founder of AquaSensor Limited, in order to be a key part of solving the current water pollution crisis.  He is working with Sheffield Hallam University students in generating secure live water quality data for their projects, and his passion in cyber security continues in this endeavour. 

Dr Shahrzad Zargari

Dr Shahrzad Zargari

Shahrzad is a YCSC: South Yorkshire Chapter Lead. Principal Lecturer and Subject Group Lead in Cyber Security & Forensics at Sheffield Hallam University, Shahrzad is part of the UKC3 skills working group and passionate about teaching cyber security to the next generation.

Neil Richardson

Neil Richardson

Neil is the co-founder and partner of Cyber Alchemy LTD and an associate lecturer in the computing department at both Sheffield Hallam University and The University of Warwick. His main teaching focus includes Computer Security, more specifically Ethical Hacking. Neil co-created and co-organises Steelcon and runs the Sheffield OWASP chapter.

Tim Ripper

Tim Ripper

As Account Director at ITogether, Tim specialises in Cyber Security solutions across multiple industry sectors. Tim is passionate about promoting Yorkshire as a cyber hub, blending his industry expertise with his dedication to cyber resilience.