Cavendish Non-Executive Director Programme

Cybersecurity: Exploring the Board’s Role in Governing Communications

9th June 2025

Capital Markets Event

In light of the recent high-profile cyber-attack on Marks & Spencer, we are convening a session to examine its implications for corporate communications, governance, and cybersecurity oversight at board level.

We’re pleased to welcome Rhiannon Webster and John Macpherson, partners at global law firm Ashurst; Nick Harris, CISO at Assured, the specialist cyber insurance broker and consultancy; and Dr. Nneka Abulokwe OBE, Non-Executive Director at Capita, Davies Group, and the University of Cambridge, who will lead a focused discussion on the governance and communications challenges raised by the M&S cyber breach.

Using the M&S cyber incident as a live case study, the panel will explore how the attack was communicated and how the media and public responded. The session will offer practical insights into the aspects of cybersecurity most relevant to board members, particularly in the context of communications governance and regulatory risk.

Arrival for the workshop is from 8.30am (for a 9am start) and will run until 10.30am, with optional networking until 11am.