Decision

Advice Letter: Ciaran Martin, Advisor, Red Sift

Updated 26 September 2022

August 2021

1. BUSINESS APPOINTMENT APPLICATION: Professor Ciaran Martin CB, Chief Executive at National Cyber Security Centre 2014 - August 2020

Professor Martin, former Chief Executive at National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), part of Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), has sought advice from the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (the Committee) under the government’s Business Appointments Rules for Former Crown servants (the Rules) on an appointment he wishes to take up with Red Sift as an advisor. The material information taken into consideration by the Committee is set out in Annex A.

The purpose of the Rules is to protect the integrity of the government. Under the Rules, the Committee’s remit is to consider the risks associated with the actions and decisions made during time in office, alongside the information and influence a former Crown servant may offer Red Sift.

The Rules set out that Crown servants must abide by the Committee’s advice. It is an applicant’s personal responsibility to manage the propriety of any appointment. Former Crown servants are expected to uphold the highest standards of propriety and act in accordance with the 7 Principles of Public Life.

2. The Committee’s consideration of the risks presented

The Committee noted that Professor Martin did not meet with Red Sift and there is no relationship between NCSC and Red Sift. Further, the department confirmed he did not make any decisions specific to Red Sift. Therefore, the Committee considered the risk he could be seen to have been offered this role as a reward for decisions made, or actions taken in office, was low.

The Committee noted that this proposed role overlaps with Professor Martin’s time in office. Therefore, there could be a perceived risk he had access to relevant privileged information, which could unfairly benefit Red Sift. However, the Committee gave weight to the department’s confirmation that he had no access to information that could provide an unfair advantage and he has been out of office for over 8 months. Further, Professor Martin’s previous department, NCSC, has a purpose and commitment to be transparent and he has an ongoing duty of confidentiality.

The Committee noted there is an inherent risk that Professor Martin’s network of contacts within government could unfairly benefit Red Sift. The Committee would draw his attention to the lobbying restriction and the restriction on providing advice on the terms of a bid or contract relating directly to the work of the UK government imposed below. However, the Committee noted this was in keeping with his role as described.

Taking into account these factors, in accordance with the government’s Business Appointment Rules, the Committee advises this appointment with Red Sift be subject to the following conditions:

• he should not draw on (disclose or use for the benefit of himself or the persons or organisations to which this advice refers) any privileged information available to him from his time in Crown service;

• for two years from his last day in Crown service, he should not become personally involved in lobbying the UK government or its Arms’ Length Bodies on behalf of Red Sift (including parent companies, subsidiaries, partners and clients); nor should he make use, directly or indirectly, of his contacts in the government and/or Crown service to influence policy, secure business/funding or otherwise unfairly advantage of Red Sift (including parent companies, subsidiaries, partners and clients); and

• for two years from his last day in Crown service he should not undertake any work with Red Sift (including parent companies, subsidiaries, partners and clients) that involves providing advice on the terms of, or with regard to the subject matter of a bid with, or contract relating directly to the work of, the UK government or its Arms’ Length Bodies.

Professor Martin must inform us as soon as he takes up employment with this organisation(s), or if it is announced that he will do so and we will publish this letter on our website.

Any failure to do so may lead to a false assumption being made about whether they have complied with the Rules.

Professor Martin must inform us if they propose to extend or otherwise change the nature of their role as, depending on the circumstances, it may be necessary for them to make a fresh application.

Once the appointment(s) has been publicly announced or taken up, we will publish this letter on the Committee’s website and where appropriate refer to in the annual report.

3. Annex A - Material information

3.1 The role

Professor Martin said Red Sift is a cloud composting security company and said it provides ‘…commodity cyber security’. The website states Red Sift is a global company making cybersecurity products easily accessible to organizations of any size, including TransferWise, Telefonica, Action for Children, and global law firms. The website also said it is specifically focused on solving cybersecurity issues. The company offers products for email protection, anti-phishing and data monitoring.

Professor Martin said in his role as an advisor would involve carrying out two functions:

• Lead several webinars on behalf of the company on general cyber security issues; and
• Participate in advisory board meetings

He does not expect his role to involve contact with the UK government.

3.2 Dealings in office

Professor Martin said he did not meet with Red Sift while in service and there is no relationship between Red Sift and NCSC. Professor Martin also confirmed he did not have any involvement in policy relevant to Red Sift nor did he make any decisions affecting Red Sift while in post. He also said he did not have access to sensitive information relevant to Red Sift and did not meet with competitors of Red Sift. Professor Martin did state he would have had general exchanges with the cloud security industry as a whole at conferences etc. But confirmed he did not have access to commercially sensitive information.

3.3 Department Assessment

GCHQ confirmed the details given in Professor Martin’s application and stated it had no relationship with Red Sift. It also stated Professor Martin’s experience as CEO of NCSC gave him access to the UK’s cyber security policy but stated this is generally already available to the public. It also said his previous position provides significant additional credibility.

The department had no concerns with regards to this application.