Talk and Book Launch

Robert Hannigan

Date: 23/05/24
Time: 18:30
£15 for event only

Counter-Intelligence:

What the Secret World Can Teach Us About Problem-solving and Creativity

Join Robert Hannigan, former Director of GCHQ (2014-2017), for the launch of his new book Counter-Intelligence: What the Secret World Can Teach Us About Problem-solving and Creativity.

10% off event price for Friends of Bletchley Park

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Robert Hannigan, Bletchley Park Trustee and former Director of GCHQ (2014-2017), will be joining us in the Fellowship Auditorium for a very special event to celebrate the launch of his new book, Counter-Intelligence: What the Secret World Can Teach Us About Problem-solving and Creativity (Harper Collins, 2024).

During the evening, Hannigan will trace the history of counter-intelligence, from the early days of Bletchley Park to the ongoing work of GCHQ, while providing a fascinating first-hand account. He will also explain how the world of counter-intelligence can provide insight into tackling problems in life and business.

The evening will end with an opportunity for attendees to ask questions.

Robert Hannigan will be signing copies of his book, which will be available to purchase.

10% off event price for Friends of Bletchley Park

Please note: Your booking entitles you to entry to this event only. Please enter through the entrance of The Fellowship Auditorium (shown on the site map below).

If you wish to explore Bletchley Park (open 9.30-17.00) before the event begins, please enter through General Admissions and purchase an Annual Pass, or use an existing one.

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Robert Hannigan CMG

Author

Robert Hannigan was Director of GCHQ from 2014-17. He was a member of the National Security Council.

Robert established the National Cyber Security Centre as part of GCHQ in 2016, having been responsible for the UK’s first cyber strategy in 2009. Robert spent much of his government career in national security. He was the Prime Minister’s Security Adviser at No10 from 2007-10, with a particular focus on Islamist terrorism, and was responsible in the Cabinet Office for the Single Intelligence Account (covering MI5, GCHQ and SIS). He chaired ‘COBR’ through numerous crises and was a longstanding member of the Joint Intelligence Committee, which he chaired in 2011-12. He came to London from Belfast, where he was Tony Blair’s senior official on the Northern Ireland peace process, responsible for negotiations with political parties, paramilitaries and with the Irish and US Governments.

He is a leading authority on cyber security, cyber conflict and the application of technology in national security. He writes regularly on cyber issues, in the Financial Times and elsewhere, and advises a number of international companies on cyber security. He is a member of the UK Government’s Defence Innovation Advisory Panel.

Robert is the Warden of Wadham College, Oxford, a Fellow of the Institute of Engineering and Technology, a Senior Associate Fellow of RUSI, and one of the few non-US citizens to be awarded the US Intelligence Distinguished Public Service Medal.

Counter Intelligence: What the Secret World Can Teach Us about problem-solving and creativity

Robert Hannigan

From the codebreakers and problem solvers to the engineers and mathematicians – what the secret world can teach us about performance and creativity

How do you hire smart people who can work together to prevent terrorist attacks and decode encrypted technology?

How do you come up with creative, counterintuitive solutions to solve major global problems?

How do you provide the right environment for these people to thrive and work at their best when under immense pressure?

Written by Robert Hannigan, the former Director of GCHQ, this book explores the role of the counter-intelligence services in history and today’s world – from the codebreakers and problem solvers, to innovation and creativity, secrecy and transparency and the global tech community. It will trace the history of counter-intelligence – from the early days of Bletchley Park to the ongoing work of GCHQ – while reflecting on some of the unique characteristics of the engineers, mathematicians and other problem-solvers that make up the world’s intelligence community.

An exhaustive and authoritative account of the history of counter-intelligence from Bletchley Park to modern-day GCHQ, this brilliant and unique book will appeal to business readers, history readers and fans of smart thinking and big ideas around the world.

THE FELLOWSHIP
AUDITORIUM

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Talk and Book Launch

Robert Hannigan

Counter-Intelligence:

What the Secret World Can Teach Us About Problem-solving and Creativity