Founder & CEO · Statutory Director
Ryan Jones
Royal Signals Veteran
Focus: Strategic vision, asset-locked governance, veteran employment pathways and employer connections.
Connect on LinkedInLeadership & Governance
Meet the Board
West Midlands Cyber & Tech Veterans CIC is an asset-locked Community Interest Company led by Ryan Jones and guided by one Founding Strategic Advisory Board bringing tech, cyber, defence, regional ecosystem and veteran resettlement expertise to our veteran career mission. Free employment pathways, training connections, employer introductions and mentoring are being developed for veterans, service leavers and active reservists.
Armed Forces Covenant PledgedAsset-Locked Community Interest Company
The Board
The Founding Strategic Advisory Board is a non-statutory advisory group operating under West Midlands Cyber & Tech Veterans CIC. It is not a separate legal company or statutory board, and it provides strategic guidance only — it does not replace the CIC's statutory directors. Advisors are unremunerated, with no signing authority and no personal liability for the CIC.
Founding Strategic Advisory Board
Bringing together expertise from across defence, cybersecurity, innovation, veteran transition and regional industry to guide our mission and strengthen the West Midlands digital ecosystem.
The board supports both our veteran employment mission — employment pathways, transition and technology career support — and the West Midlands Digital Army's regional cyber resilience, defence procurement readiness, innovation and economic development mission.
Cyber & Technical Validation Advisor
Chris Woods
Focus: Technical baselines, SOC supply chain integration, regional ecosystem alignment, and technical validation.
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Defence & Supply Chain Advisor
Marc Avery
Focus: Defence sector integration, prime contractor engagement, and supply chain alignment.
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Regional Ecosystem & Diversity Advisor
Claire Mironik
Focus: Regional tech ecosystem integration, diversity & inclusion pathways, female veteran engagement (via WITBHAM), and stakeholder engagement.
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Veteran Transition & Resettlement Advisor
Joel Hughes
Focus: Military leaver onboarding, candidate transition pipelines, and resettlement pathway alignment.
Connect on LinkedInStrategic Expertise We're Seeking
Four advisory positions are currently open. If you bring this expertise and want to support the mission, we would like to hear from you.
AI & Emerging Technology Governance
AI and AI risk management frameworks, data privacy compliance, and emerging technology governance.
Regional Risk & Public Sector
Public sector strategy, regional risk management, and critical infrastructure resilience.
Regional Innovation & Economic Growth
Regional innovation, collaboration and economic growth.
Education, Skills & Research
Education, skills development and research links.
What that governance means in practice
- ▸ Veteran-programme support ring-fenced to veterans, service leavers and active reservists, with service details checked privately when needed.
- ▸ Self-reported clearance provisionally triaged into three candidate pathways, unverified until checked and not automatically transferable.
- ▸ Employer and supporter involvement in veteran pathways, without a defence-contract or security-clearance requirement.
- ▸ No candidate fees, employer placement fees, commissions or hire-linked charges.
- ▸ Profiles shared with regional employers only under explicit UK GDPR consent.
Founder Briefings
Request a briefing with Ryan
For employers, commissioners, Covenant signatories, media and military charities.