Draft:James Matchett

James Matchett is a Lead Cyber Security Engineer based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He currently works at Kainos, a digital technology company known for its innovative solutions in healthcare, government services, and commercial sectors. Matchett has been recognized for his contributions to the field, notably winning the Apprentice of the Year award in the whole Uk. His role involves leading cybersecurity initiatives, mentoring aspiring cybersecurity professionals, and promoting technology education. Having studied at Ulster Univeristy on a partnership between the goverment department of economy and Kainos as part of an earn as you learn scheme

Early Life
James grew up in Belfast attending Methody College, In his time as Methody James volunteered at the Local Raspberry Pi, where the organisation holds monthly events which teach children how to progrom, over his 7 year tenure James has inspired mutiple young schoolchildren to pursure a career in technogly.

Matchett's journey into technology began at a young age. He participated in Kainos' CodeCamp at 14, which sparked his interest in the tech field. He later joined Kainos through their "Earn as You Learn" Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) programme, a path that allowed him to combine work experience with academic studies. This programme provided him with hands-on experience in real-world projects, significantly impacting his early career development​.

Contributions and Mentorship
James Matchett is deeply involved in mentoring and managing colleagues, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. He believes in the importance of diversity in cybersecurity and actively works to foster an inclusive environment. Matchett also plays a significant role in BelTech Edu, an initiative aimed at inspiring secondary school students to engage in technology and problem-solving through app design competitions

Awards
In 2021, Matchett was named the Northern Ireland Higher Level Apprentice of the Year, highlighting his exceptional skills and contributions. At Kainos, he has progressed from a trainee to a Lead Cyber Security Engineer, where he now focuses on big-picture design and preemptive flaw detection in systems. His role involves a blend of technical tasks such as running audits and code reviews, as well as strategic activities including planning proposals and educating developers on best practices​.

Consistently placed on the Executive Dean's List at Ulster University for academic excellence.