With Cheltenham firmly placed as the UK's most prominent cyber hub and a global leader in cyber security, the county has some of the best and most exciting tech businesses in the country.
Jack Marley and Ben Rose are the duo behind P3M Works, one of Cheltenham's most innovative cyber companies, with many important public and private defence projects under their belts and a partnership with a hugely important US tech company, SoGlos sat down for a chat on what makes them tick and how they're growing in the UK and working with organisations of all sizes.
What are your backgrounds and how did you get into cyber?
Jack: I’ve always loved technology, I’m a real geek at heart as my partner will attest to! But I’m also motivated by building things — I think this started when I was a child. I used to build the ferry that would take my family on childhood holidays to France out of LEGO, paying attention to as much detail as I could.
During my time at university my attention switched from becoming an officer in the armed forces, to delivering major technology projects. I worked at a few large companies as a project manager for several years, before identifying an opportunity to work in cyber security. It was a privilege to deliver some really complex and meaningful cyber challenges for the Ministry of Defence, whilst also developing my technical skillset. I’m a great example of how you can enter the cyber field without having been a hacker or other such stereotype.
Ben: I began my career in project management straight out of university working across various sectors ranging from software houses specialising in data encryption through to digital marketing agencies delivering enterprise level website builds and CRM integrations.
My journey into cyber stemmed from my degree itself and my dissertation was around cyber espionage. So, there’s always been an interest there but seeing the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyber threats present today cemented in my mind the very real need for organisations to adopt and implement robust cyber strategies.
What is P3M Works best known for?
Ben: I think it would be our expertise first and foremost. We’ve worked hard over the years to develop a reputation as a trusted pair of hands when it comes to project delivery. We give open and honest assessments meaning that our clients are always in the know. This is always appreciated, and we always strive to deliver to three factors: cost, quality and time. Our clients come to us knowing that their project is in good hands.
Our recent collaboration with leading technology providers, such as Akamai, further strengthens our capability to offer cutting-edge security and project management services to our clients.
How did you come up with the concept for the business?
Jack: I wanted to deliver cyber security projects smarter, with a focus on how we deliver prioritised deliverables more efficiently than some of the bigger cyber consultancies out there. I found that the industry often lacked a focus on delivering on time and on schedule, as they had failed to understand the client’s needs; we prioritise these needs and deploy good project management principles to avoid an environment of frustration, non-delivery and changing scope.
What have been your biggest career successes so far?
Jack: P3M Works has got really involved in the security ecosystem in Cheltenham and I see that as my biggest success so far. I really buy into the idea that healthy ecosystems drive prosperity for the communities in which they are based. Cheltenham has a lot of potential to attract national and international security firms to the area.
I’m proud to chair a working group for SMEs that informs the new Golden Valley Development and our introduction of Akamai to the ecosystem that will unlock technology opportunities for all businesses here.
Ben: We’ve been lucky enough be involved in lots of important and high profile projects in the past but honestly, as a small business to be nominated for the Gloucestershire Business Awards twice in as many years has been the biggest indicator that we are on the right track. Our partnerships with large companies such as Akamai also represent big successes for us.
What are you most excited about in the cyber sector at the moment?
Jack: Perhaps cliché at this point, but the impact of AI in cyber security is huge. In the past 12 months we've seen AI-enabled decision making when responding to an incident, to help the responder make the right decisions quicker and with greater accuracy; AI training for incident management to help responders increase their skills; and AI tools that help train staff, as human behaviour is a key form of defence against cyber attacks.
I can see why the public get a tad frustrated with the ‘AI takeover’ and every product from your computer to your toothbrush now being ‘powered by AI’, but in the cyber sector, we’re seeing the change now and it will continue to change how we conduct cyber security.
Ben: The rapid evolution of technologies like AI and machine-learning in cyber security is fascinating. These advancements are transforming how we predict, detect, and respond to threats. Additionally, the increasing awareness and proactive stance businesses are taking towards cyber resilience is exciting. It’s encouraging to see a shift from reactive to proactive measures in the industry especially with regard to engagement with the ethical hacking community in the form of Bug Bounty initiatives.
What are your plans for the future and can you reveal any exciting projects you’re working on?
Jack: P3M Works is delivering complex overseas projects at the moment whilst growing the work we do in the UK. It’s terribly exciting to work with partners overseas, primarily in the Middle East, to help grow our project footprint which results in jobs back in Cheltenham.
Outside of consultancy, we’re working on a new project tool that we’d like to deploy next year. The tool will help our project professionals deliver projects to cost/quality and time, whilst freeing up more of their time to influence the project environment ‘from the front’ through team leadership and client engagement. I can’t go into too much more detail, but I think it’s the future of intelligent complex project delivery.
Ben: Overall, we're looking at expanding our service offerings and continuing to build strategic partnerships that enhance our capabilities meaning that we can offer increasingly advanced services to our clients. We’re currently working on several exciting projects both at home and abroad that deliver new and novel capability into both the public and private sector. Additionally, we are working on new ways to support the UK’s start-up ecosystem, specifically within the Gloucestershire area to create an environment of collaboration in which start-ups can support each other in achieving their goals.
For young people hoping to get into the cyber industry after finishing education, what advice would you give them?
Jack: I think there is a role in cyber for most people, whether you are technically minded or not. You certainly don’t require a degree to get started in cyber security and there are plenty of courses online that people of all ages can access. The key thing for me is passion — you won’t get very far if you haven’t got a passion for what you are doing. I’ve also found that passion can speed up knowledge acquisition.
Ben: My advice would be to build a strong foundation in both technical skills and business acumen. Cyber security is as much about understanding the business context as it is about technical expertise. Pursue internships and practical experiences, stay curious and never stop learning. Cyber is a rapidly evolving field, so being adaptable and continuously updating your knowledge is key.
Networking is also crucial — connect with professionals in the field, join relevant forums and don’t hesitate to seek mentorship. Most importantly never stop asking questions!
