Season 2 - Episode 25 - Ian Pears - ”Navigating Technology, Security, and Digital Transformation: Insights from a Distinguished Leader in Defence and Maritime Sectors”

Ian Pears is the former VP of Information Security at Carnival Cruises (P&O, Cunard..etc).

During 30 years in the Royal Navy, Ian worked extensively in the design, management, and delivery of Information Warfare capability. With two commands served in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as supporting Naval operations he also stood up the Royal Navy’s nascent Cyber Defence capability; Ian had a number of Joint posts including; sponsor of the UK Strategic current/future space capability, and acted as Chair of the NATO MC3CaT reporting directly to the NATO Military Committee.

He left the Royal Navy in 2022 having spent the latter 15 months as Chief Digital and Information Officer.
Post Navy, Ian became Chief Technology Officer at the UKs Joint Maritime Security Centre in 2022, with a remit to support the organisations mandate to deliver Maritime Domain Awareness across UK Government. 

In this episode, Ian shares with us how he prepared for his career development in holding the roles such as; Chief Digital and Information Officer of the Royal Navy, to CTO for the Joint Maritime Security Centre, and more recently as VP of Information Security and Compliance at Carnival Group. We discuss what it is really like transitioning from a military environment to the private sector and it’s unique challenges.

I asked Ian about the challenges in protecting maritime assets, and information in today’s complex threat landscape.  We also discussed his experience in both defence and commercial sectors, how do approaches to cybersecurity and risk management differ, and what can each sector learn from each other.

We explore the evolving cybersecurity threats facing the travel and hospitality industry, especially given the high-value customer data you handle.

I asked Ian about his tenure as Chief Digital and Information Officer for the Royal Navy, and what were the key drivers behind the transformation, along with what lessons were learned.

Finally, we look at how to inspire and lead teams to drive excellence and innovation, even when facing significant challenges. Ian offers some amazing advice for those aspiring to leadership roles in technology, digital transformation, and cybersecurity.