Ben Owen

Cyber Security Specialist, Former British Forces Sniper, ‘Hunted’ Intelligence Lead & Co-Founder of The OSINT Group

Ben Owen’s Biography:

Ben Owen is a British intelligence expert, former military sniper, and Co-Founder of The OSINT Group, where he leads global cyber risk mitigation and open-source intelligence strategy. He is known worldwide for his on-screen role as the Head of Intelligence on Hunted Australia, as well as his earlier position as The Boss on Channel 4’s Hunted in the UK. Ben has built an international reputation as a keynote speaker who brings clarity, urgency and real-world insight to the hidden risks shaping modern life, with one of his most notable achievements being his team’s involvement in helping track an FBI Top 10 fugitive in 2025.

Ben’s early career laid the foundations for the resilience and leadership he is known for today. He joined the RAF Regiment at just seventeen and served as a British Forces Sniper, deploying across Cyprus, Kuwait and Iraq during Gulf War II. Those years in hostile environments taught him discipline, precision and focus, qualities that became crucial as he transitioned into the intelligence world. After leaving the military, he spent almost a decade serving in Government Security and Intelligence Services, where he led covert teams on counter terrorism, counter proliferation and counter espionage operations. These roles exposed him to complex investigations that shaped his understanding of human behaviour, digital exposure and real-time threat response.

Ben’s career expanded further when he became a recognisable figure on television. He starred on the UK, US and Australian versions of ‘Hunted’, becoming the only UK cast member to appear across all editions. His primary role has always centred on making sense of huge volumes of intelligence and turning it into fast, actionable plans. Alongside his media work, Ben took on senior leadership responsibilities in the private sector, notably serving as Co-Director for Fortalice Solutions EMEA, where he trained global law enforcement, military personnel and corporate teams in OSINT, online investigations and digital threat analysis. His ability to translate complex intelligence processes into human stories has made his sessions popular with audiences in more than nineteen countries in 2024 alone.

Why Hire Ben Owen?

People book Ben because he delivers more than theory. His talks combine real operational experience with live demonstrations that show exactly how exposed individuals and organisations can be. He covers topics such as cyber security, digital footprints, leadership under pressure, resilience and behavioural analysis. These subjects matter because the most dangerous vulnerabilities in any organisation rarely begin with technology, they begin with people. Ben helps audiences understand how digital manipulation, oversharing and online habits create risks that are easy to overlook. His delivery is engaging and direct, and he leaves audiences with clear actions they can take to stay safer and lead more effectively in a world that is becoming harder to navigate each year.

Ben Owen’s Career Highlights:

Below showcases Ben Owen’s career in intelligence and cyber crime:

• 2025 – Played a key investigative role in supporting OSINT efforts that helped lead to the capture of an FBI Top 10 fugitive
• 2024 – Delivered keynote talks across 19 countries on four continents on human-centred cyber security
• 2022 – Co-Founder of OSINT
• 2022 – Appointed Head of Intelligence for Hunted Australia
• 2020 – Completed tenure as The Boss on Channel 4’s Hunted
• 2018 – Became Co-Director EMEA at Fortalice Solutions
• 2015 – Featured as a lead intelligence analyst on Hunted UK and Hunted US
• 2006 – Joined Government Security and Intelligence Services
• 2000 – Served as a British Forces Sniper with deployments in Cyprus, Kuwait and Iraq during Gulf War II