Smith, Gaven - Director General Technology, Government Communications Headquarters - ACOBA advice
Source: gov.uk (2025-04-09)

Advice to Gaven Smith CB FReng, former Director General Technology, Government Communications Headquarters, on business appointments after leaving Crown service

Mr Smith left his role at Government Communications Headquarters in November 2023

Technology and Security Advisor, Sayari Analytics, LLC

Mr Smith sought the Committee’s advice about taking up a role with Sayari Analytics, LLC. The letter (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67eff50c27eb76c92cf7e5cc/Advice_Letter_-_Gaven_Smith_CB_FReng__Technology_and_Security_Advisor__Sayari_Analytics__LLC.pdf) containing the Committee’s consideration and the conditions imposed on the appointment was sent in March 2025; and the appointment was taken up in April 2025. An accessible version of the letter is available here. (https://draft-origin.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/publications/smith-gaven-director-general-technology-government-communications-headquarters-acoba-advice/advice-letter-gaven-smith-cb-freng-technology-and-security-advisor-sayari-analytics-llc?preview=8558592)

Chair of Trustees, National Signals and Intelligence Trust

Mr Smith sought the Committee’s advice about taking up a role with National Signals and Intelligence Trust. The letter (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67caedec8c1076c796a45c41/Advice_Letter_-_Gaven_Smith__Chair_of_Trustees__NSIST.pdf) containing the Committee’s consideration and the conditions imposed on the appointment was sent in September 2024; and the appointment was taken up in October 2024. An accessible version of the letter is available here. (https://draft-origin.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/publications/smith-gaven-director-general-technology-government-communications-headquarters-acoba-advice/advice-letter-gaven-smith-cb-freng-chair-of-trustees-national-signals-and-intelligence-trust?preview=8501445ADD)

Strategic Advisor to CEO and Senior Leadership Team, Faculty AI

Mr Smith sought the Committee’s advice about taking up a role with Faculty AI. The letter (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67b5e31832b2aab18314bbab/2024-09-09_Final_Advice_Letter-GS_Faculty_AI.pdf) containing the Committee’s consideration and the conditions imposed on the appointment was sent in September 2024; and the appointment was taken up in October 2024. An accessible version of the letter is available here. (https://gov.uk/government/publications/smith-gaven-director-general-technology-government-communications-headquarters-acoba-advice/advice-letter-gaven-smith-strategic-advisor-faculty-ai?preview=8473030)

Technical Committee Member, Cyber Monitoring Centre

Mr Smith sought the Committee’s advice about taking up a role with Cyber Monitoring Centre. The letter (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/661805ca2b2963dfa2d1eb02/ACOBA_Advice-_Gaven_Smith-Cyber_Monitoring_Centre.pdf) containing the Committee’s consideration and the conditions imposed on the appointment was sent in March 2024; and the appointment was taken up in April 2024.An accessible version of the letter is available here. (https://gov.uk/government/publications/smith-gaven-director-general-technology-government-communications-headquarters-acoba-advice/advice-letter-gaven-smith-technical-committee-member-cyber-monitoring-centre?preview=7936766)

Non-executive Director and Advisory Board Chair, Beyond Blue Ltd

Mr Smith sought the Committee’s advice about taking up a role with Beyond Blue Ltd. The letter (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/660193b6a6c0f7bb15ef9245/ACOBA_advice-_Gaven_Smith-_Beyond_Blue.pdf) containing the Committee’s consideration and the conditions imposed on the appointment was sent in February 2024; and the appointment was taken up in March 2024.An accessible version of the letter is available here. (https://gov.uk/government/publications/smith-gaven-director-general-technology-government-communications-headquarters-acoba-advice/advice-letter-gaven-smith-non-executive-director-and-advisory-board-chair-beyond-blue-ltd?preview=7903295)

Board Advisor, Interrupt Labs

Mr Smith sought the Committee’s advice about taking up a role with Interrupt Labs. The letter (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66018cc2a6c0f7580fef9134/ACOBA_Advice_Letter_-_GS_-_Interrupt_Labs.pdf) containing the Committee’s consideration and the conditions imposed on the appointment was sent in February 2024; and the appointment was taken up later that month.An accessible version of the letter is available here. (https://gov.uk/government/publications/smith-gaven-director-general-technology-government-communications-headquarters-acoba-advice/advice-letter-gaven-smith-board-advisor-interrupt-labs?preview=7903144)

Advisory Board Member, Gallos Technologies Ltd

Mr Smith sought the Committee’s advice about taking up a role with Gallos Technologies Ltd. The letter (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66017d5065ca2f67417da7dd/ACOBA_advice-_Gaven_Smith-_Gallos_Technologies_Ltd.pdf) containing the Committee’s consideration and the conditions imposed on the appointment was sent in February 2024; and the appointment was taken up later that month.An accessible version of the letter is available here. (https://gov.uk/government/publications/smith-gaven-director-general-technology-government-communications-headquarters-acoba-advice/advice-letter-gaven-smith-advisory-board-member-gallos-technologies-ltd?preview=7902913)

Chair in Cyber Security, Department of Computer Science, University of Manchester

Mr Smith sought the Committee’s advice about taking up a role with the University of Manchester. The letter (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6601743d65ca2f67417da7d3/ACOBA_Advice_-_Gaven_Smith-_University_of_Manchester.pdf) containing the Committee’s consideration and the conditions imposed on the appointment was sent in October 2023; and the appointment was taken up in February 2024.An accessible version of the letter is available here. (https://gov.uk/government/publications/smith-gaven-director-general-technology-government-communications-headquarters-acoba-advice/advice-letter-gaven-smith-chair-in-cyber-security-department-of-computer-science-university-of-manchester?preview=7902322)