On 25 June, the SJUK Leaders in Security Conference 2025 – held in association with Platinum Partner, Advancis Software & Services UK – returns to the Hilton Deansgate in Manchester.
Industry experts meet at SJUK Leaders in Security
The SJUK Leaders in Security Conference 2025 arrives at a pivotal moment.
As global tensions rise, cyber-attacks make headlines and organisational complexity grows, senior security leaders across the industry are being challenged to rethink what leadership, resilience and strategy truly mean in today’s environment.
The highly-anticipated SJUK Leaders in Security Conference 2025 will once again serve as the UK and Europe’s forum for industry experts to exchange insights, share best practices and present practical solutions to meet the demands of an ever-evolving threat landscape.
A warm welcome to SJUK Leaders in Security
After a breakfast networking reception, delegates will put down their coffees and pick up their show guides before taking a seat in the conference room for another day of quickfire discussion.
Following opening remarks from Ian Stokes, CEO of Centurian Media Ltd and Rick Mounfield, Conference Chair & Director of Optimal Risk, Lord Graham Evans – former MP and Patron of the Association of Security Consultants – will set the tone for the day, delivering a poignant Keynote Address exploring the evolving role of security professionals as both protectors and business leaders.
The future of the industry
As organisations face increasingly complex threat matrices and workforce challenges, nurturing the next generation of leadership is not just a nice-to-have – it’s critical.
The session, “Beyond 2035: Discussing the Next Generation of Security Leaders”, promises a cross-generational dialogue between seasoned executives and rising talent, challenging attendees to consider what kind of leadership will thrive in a post-2025 world.
The emphasis is not solely on technical knowledge but on cultivating leaders with emotional intelligence, vision and cultural fluency.
In an industry that often champions experience over soft skills, this panel will confront that paradigm and explore how mentorship, inclusive leadership and flexible career pathways can foster a more agile and adaptive profession.
Business Impact Analysis in action
The push for resilience continues to dominate boardroom agendas and the panel, “Harnessing Business Impact Analysis for Operational Continuity” is set to explore how organisations can turn theory into preparedness.
While Business Impact Analysis (BIA) is not new, its strategic relevance is sharper than ever.
In the face of rising risks – from cyber-attacks and climate events to supply chain fragility – BIA is evolving into a cornerstone of operational intelligence.
Panellists will look into the methodology behind BIA as well as the human and organisational dimensions that make it work.
How do security leaders translate analytical outputs into boardroom credibility? How do they drive alignment across business units?
Moreover, how do they embed BIA into an organisation’s daily rhythm so that it doesn’t just sit on the shelf gathering dust?
With real-world case studies and battle-tested frameworks, this session promises to turn strategic foresight into a muscle rather than a mindset.
Rethinking the risk equation
In 2025, AI is all around us. But, whilst we can’t go a day without it being mentioned, it has moved from theoretical buzz to tactical reality.
“The AI Chapter: How The Rules of Risk Are Being Rewritten” will be a crucial waypoint for leaders looking to stay ahead of the curve.
The panel will look beyond the hype and explore the practical applications of AI in security, from real-time threat detection and behaviour analytics to predictive modelling that identifies vulnerabilities before they manifest.
This discussion is set to focus on what’s already happening in progressive organisations and how others can catch up.
The session will tackle ethical and governance questions such as: How do you lead with technology responsibly? How do you balance automation with human oversight?
How can AI empower rather than displace human decision-makers? This promises to be an unmissable conversation.
From concept to control
Zero Trust remains one of the most misunderstood yet vital concepts in contemporary security.
The session “From Concept to Control: Zero Trust in Physical-Digital Environments” promises to bridge the gap between models and operational realities.
Delegates can expect a conversation on what it really takes to build architecture across cyber, OT and physical environments.
The emphasis will be on implementation: How to overcome stakeholder resistance, what tools are proving effective and how to measure value at the executive level.
For CISOs and CSOs under pressure to “do Zero Trust”, this session looks to provide the tactical roadmap and leadership narrative required to bring strategy to life.
The human foundation of resilience
Perhaps one of the most pressing yet under-explored themes is the human side of convergence.
The session “Building Resilient Security Teams Through Convergence and Qualifications” will focus on how UK organisations are re-engineering security functions into unified, cross-domain forces.
Speakers will highlight the dual importance of structure and certification.
Formal qualifications like the Level 4 Protective Services Operative standard are seen not just as a badge of competence but as a mechanism for instilling consistency, professionalism and pride across the workforce.
More broadly, the panel will explore how converged security models reduce duplication, increase responsiveness and help leaders move from reactive firefighting to strategic orchestration.
Presentations and fireside chats
In addition to the panel discussions outlined, the SJUK Leaders in Security Conference 2025 will feature a broad range of high-level presentations tackling themes shaping the future of the industry.
Complementing these sessions, fireside chats will also create a reflective forum.
These impactful conversations will bring senior executives together to explore real-world scenarios and delve into the implications of emerging legislation, new operational concepts and shifting industry priorities.
A community of security leaders
Beyond the content itself, those who attended last year’s debut instalment will tell you that what sets SJUK Leaders in Security Conference apart is the exclusivity and calibre of its networking opportunities.
The event remains invitation-only for a reason – bringing together senior decision-makers from critical national infrastructure and retail to financial institutions and government bodies.
As the security landscape continues to shift, the SJUK Leaders in Security Conference 2025 aims to equip attendees with the actionable insights and clarity needed to thrive against a backdrop of pressure and change. We look forward to seeing you in Manchester.
