24 Nov Ex-MI6 chief Sir Alex Younger to headline Intersec 2022
Intersec has announced one the first international headliners for its Dubai show: Sir Alex Younger, former MI6 chief. Although this is the first time Younger has spoken to a UAE audience, he’s no stranger to the Middle East. Throughout his career he was posted to the region in highly sensitive roles.
Younger joined the UK’s Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) – also known as MI6 – in 1991, serving as a diplomat and an undercover operative. In 2014 he was appointed Chief, a role he held until 2020, making him the longest-serving Chief in 50 years.
Younger will be joining Intersec’s Global Security Leaders’ Summit to share his unique insights to the audience. The Summit is one of six conferences at the event featuring hard-hitting discussions with global thought leaders and experts on challenges, strategic initiatives and cooperation to foster safety and security.
Sir Alex Younger said: “I am delighted to be speaking for the first time in the UAE at Intersec, and at a time when conversations for the Security and Safety industry has been thrust into the spotlight from recent global events.
“The Middle East has always fascinated me – the ever-shifting intricate dynamics of geopolitical relationships in the region and the impact they have internationally create a complex security landscape that I have been immersed in for much of my career. For this industry, Intersec offers the most valuable platform for knowledge exchange on the protection of citizens from existing and future threats and I look forward to sharing my perspective on a topic which remains a global priority.”
While at MI6 Younger acted as the Senior SIS Officer in Afghanistan, a position that marked him out as one of the world’s leading authorities on human rights matters in the country.
Alex Nicholl, Messe Frankfurt Middle East’s Head of Intersec, added: “Intersec’s commitment to bringing the brightest, most qualified experts to the stage in 2022 is at the forefront of our strategy to deliver the most relevant content for our audience. Sir Alex Younger is undoubtedly a legend in the intelligence and security community, and his storied career in the Middle East makes him the perfect addition to our conference line-up.
“This is Mr. Younger’s first time speaking publicly in the UAE and his participation underscores the value Intersec is bringing to its visitors with exclusive opportunities to engage with and learn from the very best in the industry. We are delighted to have Sir Alex onboard and look forward to welcoming him at the show.”
Over the course of 16-18 January, Intersec 2022 will be bringing over 500 speakers to a global audience under the banner of ‘uniting the world’s leading industry specialists for the safety and security of future generations’.
Security Middle East magazine – an official regional media partner for the expo – will be in attendance at Intersec on stand S3-A11, having supported the event since its inception.