Kirby Holly Ferran is the Deputy Director of the Counter Extremism Group. She has a background in counter-terrorism policy, with particular expertise in the Prevent programme.

Ms Ferran has held several senior policy roles within the UK Civil Service, focusing on national security, counter extremism, and crime reduction. She has regularly briefed Government Ministers and led the development of legislation and strategy. Her experience also includes supporting crisis responses to major incidents, including the evacuation of Afghanistan and the Fishmongers’ Hall attack.

She holds an MA in National Security Studies from King’s College London and is currently undertaking a part-time PhD on the UK’s counter-terrorism architecture at the University of Birmingham.