Anne Leslie

Anne Leslie is the Head of Cloud Risk for EMEA at IBM, where she empowers organizations to innovate securely and resiliently in an era defined by AI, cloud, and emerging technologies. With over 18 years of experience across financial services and technology, Anne combines deep expertise in cyber risk and operational resilience with a leadership style grounded in collaboration, clarity, and influence.

At IBM, she partners with senior executives to accelerate adoption of public cloud and AI while embedding robust cybersecurity and governance frameworks. Her work extends to preparing organizations for disruptive shifts such as quantum computing, ensuring they can adapt their operating models and build resilience against emerging threats.

Anne is co-editor of The AI Book and co-author of The RegTech Book, and is widely respected for creating safe spaces for outcome-driven dialogue on complex industry challenges. She is known for her ability to unite diverse stakeholders, foster trust, and translate technical risk into strategic action. Actively driving momentum on post-quantum readiness, Anne advises boards and leadership teams on strategies to mitigate risk and embrace quantum-safe solutions.

A regular speaker at C-level forums and contributor to industry working groups, Anne brings both technical authority and human insight to the table—helping leaders navigate uncertainty with confidence. Irish by nature and French by design, she has lived in Paris for nearly 30 years, blending cultural perspective with global impact.