Roy Isbell – From Soldier to Entrepreneur & Academic

12th September 2025 from 11:00am — 11:45am • Online Event

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Friday 12th September | 11:00-11:45am | FREE ONLINE ONLY EVENT | Limited ‘seats’. WCIT Entrepreneurship Panel event, but open to non-members

Roy Isbell – From Soldier to Entrepreneur & Academic. How to make the most of your career in a time of change.

Ever wondered what success looks like? Success comes in many forms and may not be what you think.

Roy started work at the age of 11 as a bingo caller on the Pier at Hunstanton. He left school at the age of 15 with minimal educational qualifications and started an engineering apprenticeship, before joining the Army.

The training, experience and knowledge gained in over 20 years of military service provided the skills to become a successful Entrepreneur at the same time as doing his Master’s degree.

After selling his business Roy decided to move into academia, where he is a Visiting Fellow / Professor at a number of Universities. He is an advisor to both Government and Industry on all aspects of Cyber Security and he continues to pass on his advice to small businesses as a coach / mentor.

As a Businessman, Entrepreneur and Cyber Security Specialist, Roy demonstrates that life is what you make it, and where you end up is not determined by where you started.

In this no-holds-barred 45-minute session, Roy explains how with little knowledge or experience he:

  • Managed his transition from the Military to Civilian world.
  • Identified the decision points that made becoming an Entrepreneur essential
  • Survived the acquisition & integration process, without losing everything
  • Made redundancy into a part of his success
  • Decided that Academia is also Entrepreneurial

This isn’t a what could be called a normal life or business progression, it’s about serendipity, the ability to spot an opportunity, making the decision to progress and deal with the roadblocks, setbacks and problems.

Live Q&A included so bring your toughest business questions.

Reserve your spot now – because the best business lessons come from someone who’s grabbed opportunities as they have come along and dealt with change in a proactive way!