Philip Virgo, whose professional life stretches from systems engineer and futurologist to political engineer and whistle-blower, is guest speaker at the Autumn Lunch of the Isle of Man branch of the Institute of Directors at the Sefton Hotel in Douglas on October 2.

“I’m absolutely delighted that someone with such a diverse pedigree as Philip will be sharing his knowledge and experience at the lunch,” said IoD branch chairman Clive Parrish. “IT security and risk is increasingly recognised as a matter boards have, historically, either ignored or neglected.”

He added: “What Philip has to say will be particularly relevant at a time when recent news stories have highlighted risks that now exist in the world of IT.”

Mr Virgo has been an advisor to various UK government select committee and enquiries over the past 20 years and his blog “When IT Meets Politics” (2008 onwards) is regularly used to whitewash material that whistle-blowers and other wish to see in the public domain as well as to analyse developments. It is widely read by journalists, politicians and officials who, in return, help with material they cannot be seen to have contributed.

A former information systems professional, programme manager and corporate planner (STC, ICL and Wellcome Foundation), Mr Virgo has spent nearly 40 years analysing ICT developments and advising decision-takers accordingly. He was co-founder of the Conservative Computer Forum and chairman until 1982 when he had to stand back from party politics after joining the National Computing Centre as principal consultant responsible for technology assessment, end-user systems and national policy inputs.

A member of the central London branch of the IoD for over 20 years, he did a three year stint as chairman of the Conservative Technology Forum and remains as vice-chairman in charge of policy studies, focused mainly on engaging younger politicians with policy studies on digital infrastructure, public service reform and skills.

Mr Virgo, in a recent tweet, said that those who wish to continue to be able to attract and retain world class talent, so that they can offer globally competitive services from UK-based hubs, should be looking at how to help achieve those objectives in ways that also meet their own needs to improve quality and reduce vulnerability to insider fraud and abuse.

He added: “They risk yet more bureaucratic controls which will continue to fail to address the known problems if they just bleat about cost. They should, instead, be seen to be helping improve the quality of their existing workforce and potential local recruits by co-operating with those seeking to improve the relevance of our fragmented and sclerotic (albeit with pockets of relevance) vocational education and training system. That co-operation should include helping to publicise, promote and expand that which helps their own needs.”

Photo - Clive Parrish, chairman of the Isle of Man branch of the Institute of Directors.