Co-op and The Hacking Games have recently hosted the first Inspire Session at Co-op Academy Walkden in Salford, marking the first in a planned series of events under their partnership to help young people put their digital skills to constructive use and explore ethical career paths in cybersecurity.
The event brought together 300 students aged 13–14 for a live session with leading cybersecurity experts including Mivy James, Chief Digital and Technology Officer at the Ministry of Defence, Greg Francis, cyber offender prevention consultant at 4D Cyber Security and former SOCA and NCA cybercrime investigator and prevention officer, and Chris Kubecka, international cyberwarfare expert.
The session aimed to spark curiosity about ethical hacking and highlight the wide range of career opportunities available to young people with digital talent.
The Inspire Session forms part of the wider Co-op and The Hacking Games partnership, a national initiative designed to identify and redirect young cyber talent before it is exploited or misused online. Future phases of the programme will include further school-based events, mentoring and pathways into cybersecurity apprenticeships and careers.
Rob Elsey, Chief Digital and Information Officer at Co-op, said:
“We want to show young people that their digital skills can make a real difference. The partnership with The Hacking Games is about prevention through opportunity, helping young people to see a future for themselves in tech and using those skills to protect rather than harm. This first Inspire Session is an exciting step in turning that ambition into action.”
Fergus Hay, Co-founder and CEO of The Hacking Games, said:
“The scale of untapped digital talent across the UK is huge. Many young people have the potential to thrive in cybersecurity if given the right direction and role models. This partnership with Co-op is about meeting them early, showing them what’s possible and inspiring a new generation of ethical hackers.”
Chris Kubecka, international cyberwarfare expert, said:
“Cybersecurity isn’t just about defending systems, it’s about protecting people and communities. By introducing young minds to ethical hacking early, we’re giving them the chance to use their skills for good and build careers that make a real difference. Today’s session shows that curiosity can be a powerful force for positive change.”
Lily, a student at Co-op Academy Walkden who attended the event said:
“My key takeaway from The Hacking Games was realising that you can hack ethically and be paid for it, which opens up the possibility of a career where you can travel. I’m interested in areas like coding and ICT, so a career in ethical hacking and cybersecurity is definitely something I might pursue,” said Lily. “I found Chris, one of the speakers, particularly inspirational; it was motivating to hear how she managed to achieve great success despite coming from a more troubled background.”
The partnership between Co-op and The Hacking Games was first announced in July 2025 as part of Co-op’s long-term commitment to tackling the root causes of cybercrime and creating fair opportunities for young people. It combines Co-op’s reach into schools and communities through its 38 Co-op Academies with The Hacking Games’ expertise in digital skills and offender prevention.