Audra Simons is a bold, innovative thinker with more than 25 years of experience in product management, strategy, prototyping, transformational change programs and leading corporate development in information technology service industries and telecommunications.

As Head of Forcepoint Innovation Labs, Audra is responsible for leading the innovation team in creating ideas that will deliver Forcepoint’s human-centric vision of the future; the reinvention of security. She fosters a culture of innovation, investigating how businesses can dynamically adapt their cybersecurity by focusing on the intersection of users with critical data and networks.

Beyond the Innovation Labs, Audra leads Forcepoint’s product council, while also managing Raytheon’s competitive advantage team who are focused on joint development of pioneering security products and services.

Before joining Forcepoint in 2017, Audra was Head of Innovation at FluidOne, a data delivery network provider, and before this Audra worked for Omnibus Clapman as development advisor, creating sustainable mutually beneficial partnerships between the Omnibus arts charity and businesses in the local community, while providing business skills mentoring. She has also held various roles at global and national services providers creating and delivering products, driving rationalisation and best practices.

Earlier in her career, she joined Dairy Crest Limited, a subsidiary of the Milk Marketing Board as a product manager. Here, Audra spearheaded her first innovation of pre-packaged grated cheese, which made a significant impact to the UK retail dairy industry.

This is just one example of how Audra has used her rare and valuable mix of skills to take ideas from creation to cash. She is well-respected for identifying and delivering the services, customer experience and revenue streams of the future.