The CyberNorth Awards celebrate the talent, innovation, and collaboration driving the North East’s cyber security and secure AI sectors. The Awards bring together startups and industry leaders to break down barriers and showcase the region’s incredible homegrown talent.
Meet The Judges
Chair: Jon Holden
CyberNorth
Jon is the CEO of CyberNorth. He brings three decades of executive security experience across global banking, fintech and regulated financial services. He previously served as Chief Information Security Officer at Atom Bank, where he built and led the security function for the UK’s first app-only bank. Earlier roles included senior positions at Citibank, Northern Rock, Egg and Virgin Money.
Deborah Hardoon
North East Mayoral Strategic Authority
Deborah Hardoon is the Head of Economy and Innovation at the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority. She brings a strong background in economic policy and social impact, joining the MSA from HM Treasury, where she was based in the Darlington Economic Campus working on UK government technology policy and spending. Prior to that, Deborah worked for a number of non-profit organisations leading research and evidence portfolios on inequality, poverty and wellbeing.
Jennie Noble
Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport
Jennie Noble leads DCMS’s regional cyber and tech skills engagement across the North of England, helping connect government, industry and education to grow the UK’s cyber workforce. A longstanding supporter of CyberNorth and its mission to strengthen the North’s cyber and Tech ecosystem, she is proud to be a judge for the CyberNorth Awards 2026.
Dave Bleakman
Barclays Eagle Labs
As Digital Security & Cyber Lead David is responsible for driving Barclays Eagle Labs’ digital security and cyber strategy, helping founders, scale-ups, and high-growth technology businesses strengthen their resilience, accelerate innovation, and unlock growth opportunities. Working at the intersection of industry, government, academia, and the investor community, he leads the Digital Security Hub in Manchester that connects ambitious startups with the expertise, networks, and resources needed to succeed in an increasingly complex digital landscape.
Naomi Allen Seales
Northstar Ventures
Naomi Allen Seales is an Investment Manager at Northstar Ventures, where she invests in and supports ambitious, high-growth businesses across the North East. She works across the North East Spinout Inspire Fund, Venture Sunderland Fund and EIS Growth Fund, and is passionate about supporting underrepresented founders and building a more inclusive regional investment ecosystem.
Caroline Churchill
TLT LLP
Caroline Churchill is a Partner in TLT’s Digital, Data and Commercial team focused on the firm’s digital growth strategy across the North East and Scotland. She advises organisations on technology, AI, data, cyber security and digital transformation, helping them harness innovation, deliver strategic objectives and manage legal, regulatory and operational risk.
Caroline supports clients on complex technology projects, including technology sourcing, outsourcing, cloud services, AI governance, data protection and cyber resilience.
