Co-op and The Hacking Games Launch Inspire Session to Help Young People Use Digital Skills For Good

19 November 2025

Co-op and The Hacking Games have today 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.

ENDS

About Co-op

Co-op Group is one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives, operating across food retail, funerals, insurance and legal services. Owned by over 6.9 million active member-owners, Co-op exists to meet their needs and champion the causes they care about.

With more than 2,300 food stores, 800 funeral homes and a wholesale business supplying around 8,000 additional outlets, Co-op employs 53,000 colleagues and generates annual revenues of over £11 billion. It is a recognised leader in ethical business and community-led programmes, creating long-term value for members and communities across the UK.

About The Hacking Games

The Hacking Games is an AI tech company on a mission to create a generation of ethical hackers and make the world safer. We identify raw, unconventional cyber talent - from gamers to coders - and redirect it into the cybersecurity industry before it’s lost to cybercrime.

We work with global employers, government agencies, and educators to spot potential early, match it to opportunity, and open up pathways into ethical hacking careers. We combine media, community, and technology to inspire Gen Z to hack for good, not for harm.

About Co-op Academies Trust

Founded in 2010, Co-op Academies Trust, sponsored by the Co-op Group, is a large Multi Academy Trust spanning the North of England and West Midlands. Guided by cooperative values and principles, the Trust includes a wide variety of schools from small and large primaries, secondary schools, a college, and special schools that offer all-through, primary and secondary education.

The Trust is made up of 12 secondary academies, 21 primary academies, 3 special academies and 1 Post-16 college based throughout Leeds, Bradford, Kirklees, Staffordshire, Stoke, Wirral, Manchester, Oldham and Salford and is structured into four regional hubs: Greater Manchester and Oldham, Merseyside and Salford, Staffordshire and West Yorkshire.