Where science meets delivery: How West Midlands is fast becoming a national leader in digital innovation

As part of Birmingham Tech Week, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce is shedding light on some of the key members driving innovation in AI and technology.

According to Andrew Horkan (pictured) CEO at Cyber Tzar, West Midlands is on track to become a national leader in digital resilience and innovation.

He highlights how the youngest, most diverse workforce in Europe is poised for a digital revolution, building on a rich heritage of turning ideas into action.

Can you tell us briefly what your business does and what makes it unique?

Cyber Tzar bridges the gap between technical cybersecurity and business assurance.

Our platform combines automated testing, benchmarking, and compliance data to give organisations a 360° view of supplier risk.

We’re currently assessing over 260,000 organisations, offering unmatched scale and insight across the supply chain.

What recent innovation or project are you most proud of?

On the project front, we’re leading the West Midlands Cyber Hub, funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology via Innovate UK , alongside Aston University, TechWM, the Innovation Alliance for the West Midlands, the Cyber Resilience Centre for the West Midlands, and Midlands Cyber.

The Hub will serve as the region’s new centre for cyber innovation, community, investment, education, and enterprise.

On the product side, our platform integrates supply chain risk management and compliance oversight into one dashboard, exactly the kind of solution organisations like JLR and M&S now need.

How has AI or automation changed your processes?

We’ve used AI from day one, responsibly. It powers synthetic data creation, brand monitoring, and phishing detection while maintaining human oversight.

For us, AI enhances accuracy and scale without sacrificing trust.

Why is the West Midlands a good place for tech innovation?

The West Midlands has the youngest, most diverse workforce in Europe and a heritage of turning ideas into action. It’s where science meets delivery.

With the Cyber Hub and TechWM, the region is fast becoming a national leader in digital resilience and innovation.

Have local partnerships supported your journey?

Absolutely. The Chamber’s small business academy workshops, led by Jayne Hume, played a huge role in my own development as a CEO, helping to refine my approach to growth and strategy, and our collaboration with TechWM on the Cyber Hub is helping drive the region’s cyber and innovation agenda.

What tech trend excites you most for the future?

Supply chain risk in cybersecurity is the trend I’m most passionate about right now.

With major incidents recently affecting organisations like JLR and M&S, it’s clearer than ever that an organisation’s resilience is only as strong as the weakest link in its supply chain.

We’re also exploring cyber psychology and defence against weaponised AI, two areas that will shape how people and systems respond to future threats.

What advice would you give to other businesses exploring tech?

Hire neurodiverse talent, they often see problems differently and find smarter solutions. And remember, consistency beats perfection. Start small, learn fast, and keep going.

How does Birmingham Tech Week help raise the region’s tech profile?

Birmingham Tech Week is a vital platform that shines a national and international spotlight on the innovation happening across the West Midlands.

It celebrates collaboration, encourages investment, and amplifies the voices of businesses driving digital progress.

Events like this help show that the region isn’t just keeping pace with global tech, we’re actively helping to shape its future.

Pictured from left to right: Wayne Horkan – Cyber Tzar, Ryan Protheroe - Midlands Cyber, Michelle Ohren MA - The Cyber Resilience Centre for West Midlands,
Andy Hague - TechWM, Vladlina Benson MBE - Aston University, and Cliff Dennett - Innovation Alliance for the West Midlands