Iain Lobban

Sir Iain Robert Lobban (born 1960) is a former British civil servant. He was the Director of the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), the British signals intelligence agency, from 2008 to 2014.

Education and career Born in Nigeria, Lobban graduated from the University of Leeds with a Bachelor of Arts in languages. He joined GCHQ in 1983 and undertook a variety of roles before joining the GCHQ Board in 2001. Whilst on the Board he was responsible for moving the operations of GCHQ into its new base at The Doughnut at Benhall, Gloucestershire. Before being appointed Director, Lobban was Director-General (Operations); having taken up this post in early 2004. He became the Director of GCHQ in July 2008, succeeding Sir David Pepper. Turing, who committed suicide after being convicted of homosexuality, was described by Lobban as a "national asset" and said that more people like Turing were needed to face contemporary information security threats.

It was announced in January 2014 that Lobban would stand down as GCHQ director before the end of the year.

After retiring from the government, Lobban went on to advise the Australian government before joining the advisory board of private security firm the Holdingham Group, which is now known as Hakluyt & Company.

Lobban was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in the 2006 New Year Honours for services to national security and Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in the 2013 New Year Honours for services to national security.

Lobban is a supporter of Everton F. C., and counts cricket, photography, travel and bird watching among his hobbies.