Poppy Gustafsson: Darktrace Co-Founder and UK Technology Leader
The remarkable journey of the British businesswoman who helped build Darktrace, led the company onto the London Stock Exchange and later entered public service.
Introduction
Poppy Gustafsson is a British technology executive, chartered accountant and member of the House of Lords. She is best known as a co-founder and former chief executive officer of Darktrace, a major cybersecurity company created in Cambridge.
She helped turn Darktrace from a young technology business into an international company serving thousands of customers. The company also entered the London Stock Exchange under her leadership.
After leaving Darktrace in 2024, Gustafsson became the United Kingdom’s Minister of State for Investment. She held the government position from October 2024 until September 2025.
As of August 2026, she remains a Labour member of the House of Lords and is formally known as Baroness Gustafsson of Chesterton CBE.
Poppy Gustafsson Quick Facts
| Field | Verified Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Poppy Clare Veronica Gustafsson |
| Public title | Baroness Gustafsson of Chesterton CBE |
| Birth year | 1982 |
| Nationality | British |
| Profession | Technology executive, chartered accountant and life peer |
| Famous for | Co-founding and leading Darktrace |
| Education | BSc in Mathematics |
| University | University of Sheffield |
| Former company | Darktrace |
| Former business role | Chief Executive Officer of Darktrace |
| Former government role | Minister of State for Investment |
| Current public position | Member of the House of Lords |
| Political affiliation | Labour |
| Major honours | OBE and CBE |
Who Is Poppy Gustafsson?
Poppy Gustafsson is one of the best-known British executives connected with cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
She was part of the team that founded Darktrace in 2013. The company developed technology that uses artificial intelligence to study computer networks and identify unusual digital activity.
Gustafsson first worked in financial leadership at the company. She later became co-chief executive and then sole chief executive.
Her career is unusual because it connects mathematics, accountancy, venture capital, cybersecurity, business leadership and government service.
Early Life and Education
Poppy Gustafsson grew up in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.
She attended Hinchingbrooke School before studying mathematics at the University of Sheffield. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in 2003.
Mathematics helped her build strong skills in analysis, problem-solving and logical thinking. These abilities later became useful in both finance and technology.
After university, she joined Deloitte and trained as an accountant. She later qualified as a chartered accountant.
Her education gave her an important combination of mathematical knowledge and financial experience. This became a strong base for her future work with growing technology companies.
In 2022, the University of Sheffield awarded her an honorary Doctor of Science degree in recognition of her achievements in cybersecurity.
Early Professional Career
Before becoming widely known through Darktrace, Gustafsson gained experience in finance, investment and software.
She worked at Amadeus Capital Partners, a venture-capital company that invests in technology businesses.
This role allowed her to learn more about company growth, business investment and the financial needs of young technology firms.
In 2009, she joined Autonomy, a British software company, where she worked as a corporate controller. Autonomy was later acquired by Hewlett-Packard.
Her work at Deloitte, Amadeus Capital Partners and Autonomy helped prepare her for the demands of building and managing a fast-growing technology company.
Founding Darktrace
Darktrace was founded in Cambridge in 2013 by a team that included mathematicians, business professionals, cybersecurity experts and people with experience in intelligence work.
Poppy Gustafsson was part of the founding team.
The company was created to use artificial intelligence and machine learning in cybersecurity. Its technology was designed to learn how an organisation’s digital systems normally behave.
When the system noticed unusual activity, it could alert the organisation or respond to the possible threat.
This approach helped Darktrace become recognised in the growing cybersecurity industry.
Gustafsson initially served as the company’s chief financial officer. Her financial knowledge was valuable during the company’s early development.
Becoming Darktrace CEO
Gustafsson later moved from financial management into wider company leadership.
She became co-chief executive in 2016 and took over as sole chief executive in 2020.
As CEO, she guided Darktrace through major international growth. The company opened offices in different countries, increased its workforce and attracted thousands of customers.
Her responsibilities included:
- Managing the company’s international expansion
- Supporting product development
- Communicating with investors
- Building Darktrace’s public reputation
- Preparing the business for the stock market
- Leading teams across several countries
Her career can be compared with other technology founders who turned complex scientific ideas into growing businesses. One related example is Torsten Reil’s technology journey, which connects science, artificial intelligence and company building.
Darktrace’s London Stock Exchange Listing
One of the biggest moments in Gustafsson’s career came in April 2021, when Darktrace began trading on the London Stock Exchange.
The listing was important for the company and the wider British technology sector.
It showed that a cybersecurity company developed in Cambridge could grow into a large international business and attract public investors.
Darktrace continued to expand after the listing. According to the company’s September 2024 announcement, it employed more than 2,400 people, operated in 110 countries and served close to 10,000 customers at that time.
The company also reported that its teams had submitted more than 200 patent applications.
Leaving Darktrace
Poppy Gustafsson stepped down as chief executive of Darktrace on 6 September 2024.
Jill Popelka, who was serving as the company’s chief operating officer, became the new CEO.
Gustafsson said Darktrace had been a major part of her life for more than a decade. She expressed pride in the company’s achievements and explained that it was the right time to pass leadership to a successor.
Her departure came while Darktrace was preparing to complete its acquisition by Thoma Bravo, an American private-equity company.
The takeover valued Darktrace at more than £4 billion.
Move into Government
Gustafsson entered the British government shortly after leaving Darktrace.
She was appointed Minister of State for Investment on 10 October 2024. The role was shared between HM Treasury and the Department for Business and Trade.
Her work focused on encouraging companies and investors to put money into the United Kingdom.
The position involved areas such as:
- Foreign and domestic investment
- Technology and innovation
- Manufacturing
- Infrastructure
- Clean energy
- Business growth
- International economic partnerships
Her experience in building an international technology company gave her practical knowledge of what businesses and investors may need when choosing where to operate.
Baroness Gustafsson of Chesterton
Gustafsson was given a life peerage so she could serve in the House of Lords.
She became Baroness Gustafsson of Chesterton in the City of Cambridge in November 2024.
A life peer is allowed to sit in the House of Lords and take part in parliamentary work. The title is not inherited by the person’s children.
Gustafsson delivered her first House of Lords speech in January 2025. She discussed innovation, energy security, technology and the importance of confidence in the United Kingdom’s economic future.
Readers can check her current membership and official parliamentary history through her UK Parliament profile.
Work as Minister for Investment
During her time in government, Gustafsson was involved in announcements connected with major investments in the United Kingdom.
Her ministerial work covered investment from international businesses and financial organisations. It also included support for manufacturing, housing, technology and business opportunities.
She often spoke about the need for the United Kingdom to promote its strengths more confidently.
Her public comments focused on:
- Economic growth
- Business investment
- Innovation
- Skilled workers
- International trade
- New technology
- Responsible regulation
Gustafsson left the government on 5 September 2025.
Her formal government term therefore lasted from October 2024 until September 2025.
What Is Poppy Gustafsson Doing Now?
As of August 2026, Poppy Gustafsson is no longer the CEO of Darktrace and is no longer the UK Minister of State for Investment.
She remains a Labour life peer and member of the House of Lords.
In January 2026, she joined the Royal United Services Institute, commonly known as RUSI, as a trustee.
RUSI is a British research organisation that studies defence, national security, cybersecurity and international affairs.
Her experience in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, investment and government is closely connected with the organisation’s research areas.
She also continues to contribute to public discussions about technology, innovation, digital security and economic growth.
Honours and Recognition
Poppy Gustafsson has received several important honours during her career.
She was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, or OBE, in 2019 for services to the cybersecurity industry.
She was later promoted to Commander of the Order of the British Empire, or CBE, in the 2025 New Year Honours.
The CBE also recognised her services to cybersecurity.
Other publicly reported recognition includes:
- Entrepreneur of the Year at the City A.M. Awards
- Tech Businesswoman of the Year at the UK Tech Awards
- Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award
- Woman of the Year for Technology and Innovation
- Honorary Doctor of Science from the University of Sheffield
These honours reflect her contribution to British technology, cybersecurity and business leadership.
Leadership Style and Business Impact
Gustafsson’s public career shows the importance of combining technical knowledge with financial and leadership skills.
She did not begin as a cybersecurity engineer. Her early strengths were mathematics, accountancy and business finance.
However, these skills allowed her to understand how a technology company could manage money, attract investment and grow internationally.
Her journey also demonstrates that successful companies need more than a strong product. They require careful planning, strong teams, customer trust and the ability to respond to rapid change.
Readers interested in other British entrepreneurs who built businesses around a clear purpose can also explore Rachel Watkyn’s business story.
Poppy Gustafsson’s Importance in British Technology
Poppy Gustafsson became an important figure in British technology because she helped develop one of the country’s most recognised cybersecurity businesses.
Her work at Darktrace contributed to several areas:
- Growth of the British cybersecurity industry
- Wider business use of artificial intelligence
- International recognition of Cambridge technology companies
- Representation of women in senior technology leadership
- Increased attention on digital security
- British technology participation in public markets
Her later move into government also showed how experience from private companies can be used in public policy and national investment work.
Personal Life
Official government information states that Poppy Gustafsson is married and has two children.
She has generally kept her private family life separate from her professional career.
Most of her public interviews and appearances focus on cybersecurity, leadership, company growth, investment and technology.
Interesting Facts About Poppy Gustafsson
- She studied mathematics before becoming a business executive.
- She trained as a chartered accountant at Deloitte.
- She worked in venture capital before joining the Darktrace founding team.
- She helped establish Darktrace in Cambridge in 2013.
- She first served as the company’s chief financial officer.
- She later became Darktrace’s sole chief executive.
- She led the company through its 2021 London Stock Exchange listing.
- Darktrace served close to 10,000 customers when she left in 2024.
- She became a government minister shortly after leaving Darktrace.
- She is a member of the House of Lords.
- She has received both an OBE and a CBE.
- She became a RUSI trustee in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Poppy Gustafsson?
Poppy Gustafsson is a British technology executive, chartered accountant and member of the House of Lords. She is best known for co-founding and leading Darktrace.
What is Poppy Gustafsson famous for?
She is famous for helping build Darktrace into an international artificial-intelligence cybersecurity company.
Did Poppy Gustafsson found Darktrace?
She was part of the team that founded Darktrace in Cambridge in 2013.
Is Poppy Gustafsson still the CEO of Darktrace?
No. She stepped down as Darktrace CEO on 6 September 2024. Jill Popelka became her successor.
What did Poppy Gustafsson study?
She studied mathematics at the University of Sheffield and completed her BSc degree in 2003.
Is Poppy Gustafsson an accountant?
Yes. She trained at Deloitte and qualified as a chartered accountant.
Was Poppy Gustafsson a government minister?
Yes. She served as the UK Minister of State for Investment from 10 October 2024 until 5 September 2025.
Is Poppy Gustafsson a member of the House of Lords?
Yes. As of August 2026, she remains a Labour life peer and member of the House of Lords.
What is Poppy Gustafsson’s official title?
Her official parliamentary title is Baroness Gustafsson of Chesterton CBE.
Why did Poppy Gustafsson receive a CBE?
She received a CBE in the 2025 New Year Honours for services to the cybersecurity industry.
What is Poppy Gustafsson doing now?
As of August 2026, she remains a member of the House of Lords and serves as a trustee of the Royal United Services Institute.
Conclusion
Poppy Gustafsson’s career connects mathematics, finance, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and public service.
She began as an accountancy professional before helping create Darktrace in 2013. She later became its chief executive, led its international expansion and guided the company onto the London Stock Exchange.
After leaving Darktrace, she entered government as Minister of State for Investment and became a member of the House of Lords.
Her move from mathematics and accountancy to technology leadership shows how different skills can work together. Her career has made her an important name in British cybersecurity, business and public policy.
