Mr Hannigan has spent much of his career in national security, having recently been director of GCHQ, the UK's largest intelligence and security agency. He was also a member of the National Security Council.

Dr Karin von Hippel, Director-General of RUSI remarked, 'Robert Hannigan is a leading authority on cyber security and on the appropriate use of technology for national security. He brings with him a wealth of expertise and is attuned to the very live national and international debate on cyber security. We look forward to working with him on these and other issues'.

Robert Hannigan added, 'RUSI has a unique convening authority and undertakes innovative research in a number of critical national and international security areas. I look forward to contributing to their work'.