Sir Jeremy Fleming

Sir Jeremy Fleming is the Former Director of GCHQ - the UK’s largest intelligence agency with a broad mission covering global intelligence, cyber security and cyber operations. He served in this role for over six years.

Jeremy joined MI5 in 1993.  He gained extensive operational, investigative and leadership experience across the full range of national security work. He helped shape MI5's response to the London terrorist attacks in 2005, led the revision and publication of the Government's counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST and was responsible for MI5's preparations for the London 2012 Olympics. In 2013 he became deputy head of MI5 with responsibility for all investigations and operations.

Jeremy was appointed GCHQ’s 16th Director in 2017.  He oversaw the development of GCHQ into a world-leading cyber organisation during a period of significant geopolitical turmoil and technology advancement.  From managing the impact of cyber attacks on the NHS (‘Wannacry’) to Russia’s use of Novichok in Salisbury, and from the UK’s approach to security during the pandemic to support for Ukraine, Jeremy has been at the heart of the UK’s national security for decades.  He established the National Cyber Security Centre (the NCSC), and with the military created the National Cyber Force to deliver cyber operations.  Jeremy led a period of significant growth in GCHQ, with a transformation based on strong leadership values, mission focus and innovative approaches to diversity and inclusion.

Jeremy advised the Prime Minister on intelligence, security, cyber and technology issues, including as part of the National Security Council and the JIC.  He gained a reputation as an influential public voice on national security and technology, with a mission to improve transparency of the Agency’s work and increase understanding of the threats and opportunities of the latest tech.  He guest edited BBC4’s Today programme in 2022.

Before his career in Government, Jeremy read History at Bristol University and qualified as an Accountant. Jeremy now advises global businesses on cyber, technology trends and geopolitics.  As a proven leader of a large technology organisation he cares deeply about the way in which these themes affect people, careers and leadership approaches.  He believes this experience is directly relevant to enterprises, large and small.