Zak Pantelli

Observer

DISC Type : ci

Distinguished Architect & Senior Director - Data Security & Cryptography at GSK

Manchester Area, United Kingdom

Overview

Zak Pantelli is a Distinguished Architect and Senior Director at GSK, leading data security and cryptography. With a background in Aeronautical Engineering and over 16 years of experience across pharmaceuticals, banking, and defense, he specializes in building enterprise-scale security strategies, with a current focus on post-quantum cryptography readiness.

Based on his professional background spanning national defense and stated interests, Zak maintains a connection to the military, specifically showing an interest in the British Army. He is also passionate about mentoring talent and building high-performing teams within the cybersecurity industry.

He chairs the joint H-ISAC & Health Sector Coordinating Council (HSCC) Post-Quantum Cryptography Task Force, driving cross-industry collaboration.

Personality Overview

Value Driven

Example Seeker

Assertive

They are generally good communicators and can be hard to convince. They can sound friendly and charming but can quickly change gears to become inquisitive and probing. They often ask many questions and rely heavily on information and documentation.

Topics They Care About

Post-Quantum Cryptography

He leads GSK's PQC strategy, speaks publicly on its impact in life sciences, and chairs a joint industry task force dedicated to the PQC transition.

Enterprise Data Protection

A core focus of his career, he develops and executes global data protection and cryptographic strategies for large organizations in highly regulated environments.

Cross-Sector Collaboration

He actively promotes collaboration between public and private sectors, particularly in uniting industry experts to tackle large-scale challenges like post-quantum cryptography.

Post-Quantum Cryptography: He leads GSK's PQC strategy, speaks publicly on its impact in life sciences, and chairs a joint industry task force dedicated to the PQC transition.

Enterprise Data Protection: A core focus of his career, he develops and executes global data protection and cryptographic strategies for large organizations in highly regulated environments.

Cross-Sector Collaboration: He actively promotes collaboration between public and private sectors, particularly in uniting industry experts to tackle large-scale challenges like post-quantum cryptography.

Media Appearances

Zak has no verified media appearances

Work History

10-2025

Distinguished Architect & Senior Director - Data Security & Cryptography at GSK

11-2023 - 10-2025

Director of Data Security & Cryptography at GSK

10-2021 - 11-2023

Cyber Assurance Director at GSK

2-2021 - 10-2021

Lead Security Architect (Senior Manager) at Santander UK

12-2017 - 2-2021

Cyber Security Design & Assurance Lead at Lloyds Banking Group

Education

Zak has no verified education history

More Information

Social Presence :

Prographics :

Exp : 16 Location : Manchester Area, United Kingdom Job Level : Senior Designation : Distinguished Architect & Senior Director - Data Security & Cryptography at GSK

<div class="break-inside-avoid"><h1 class="sect-head" style="display:inline-flex; align-items:center"><div data-toggle="tooltip" data-placement="bottom" title="" data-original-title="DISC profile is one of the most popular behavioral assessment frameworks in use. It is especially useful in understanding workplace behavior and how different people approach similar situations differently.">DISC Profile : Zak's Key Traits </div></h1><div class="disc_main personality_container" style="display: flex;align-items: center;justify-content: center;"><figure class="highcharts-figure"> <div class="frrole_circle_label" style="position: absolute;top: calc(50% - 67.5px);left: calc(50% - 66.5px);">ci</div> <div data-toggle="tooltip" data-placement="bottom" title="" data-original-title="Dominance(D) reflects how goal and task oriented a person is and her ability to accomplish results, irrespective of how demanding the circumstances might be. Those scoring high tend to be motivated by winning, competition and success and can be described as direct, demanding and strong willed." style="position: absolute;top: -4%;left: calc(50% - 20px);z-index: 2;cursor: pointer; border-radius: 50%; color:#fff;background: linear-gradient(360deg, #f1828d, #d2527f); height: 30px;width: 30px;font-size: 14px;align-items: center;justify-content: center;display: flex;font-weight: bold;opacity:1">D</div><div class="disclabel1" data-toggle="tooltip" data-placement="bottom" title="" data-original-title="Influence(I) reflects the degree to which a person prefers to work by influencing or persuading others. Those scoring high tend to be people oriented, are motivated by social recognition and building relationships and can be described as warm and enthusiastic in general." style="position: absolute;right: 5%;top: calc(50% - 20px);z-index: 2;cursor: pointer; border-radius: 50%; color:#fff;background: linear-gradient(270deg, #fad859, #f7ca18); height: 30px;width: 30px;font-size: 14px;align-items: center;justify-content: center;display: flex;font-weight: bold;opacity:1">I</div><div data-toggle="tooltip" data-placement="bottom" title="" data-original-title="Steadiness(S) reflects the degree to which a person is likely to focus on cooperation, support and taking everyone along. Those scoring high tend to be consistent and calm, are excited about the opportunity to collaborate and partner and could sometimes be indecisive or overly accommodating." style="position: absolute;bottom: -4%;left: calc(50% - 20px);z-index: 2;cursor: pointer; border-radius: 50%; color:#fff; background: linear-gradient(180deg, #b7f4d8, #66cc99);height: 30px;width: 30px;font-size: 14px;align-items: center;justify-content: center;display: flex;font-weight: bold;opacity:1">S</div><div class="disclabel2" data-toggle="tooltip" data-placement="bottom" title="" data-original-title="Calculativeness(C) reflects the degree to which a person is likely to be cautious, systematic and analytical. Those scoring high tend to emphasise quality and accuracy, enjoy showing off their expertise or challenging assumptions but can sometimes overanalyze things and be overcritical." style="position: absolute;left: 5%;top: calc(50% - 20px);z-index: 2;cursor: pointer; border-radius: 50%; color:#fff; background: linear-gradient(90deg, #848ccf, #524eb7);height: 30px;width: 30px;font-size: 14px;align-items: center;justify-content: center;display: flex;font-weight: bold;opacity:1">C</div><div style="position: absolute;top: calc(50% - 106.5px);left: calc(50% - 106.5px);border-radius:50%;border: 1.5px dotted #c8c6c6;padding:105px"></div><div style="position: absolute;top: calc(50% - 135.5px);left: calc(50% - 135.5px);border-radius:50%;border: 1.5px dotted #c8c6c6;padding:133px"></div> <div id="disc_container"></div> </figure><div class="row traits-row" style="position: relative;width:70%;justify-content:flex-end;margin-right:10px"><div class="personality-cards col-md-10"><div class="personality-head">Calculativeness</div>Calculativeness(C) reflects the degree to which a person is likely to be cautious, systematic and analytical. Those scoring high tend to emphasise quality and accuracy, enjoy showing off their expertise or challenging assumptions but can sometimes overanalyze things and be overcritical.</div><div class="personality-cards col-md-10"><div class="personality-head">Influence</div>Influence(I) reflects the degree to which a person prefers to work by influencing or persuading others. Those scoring high tend to be people oriented, are motivated by social recognition and building relationships and can be described as warm and enthusiastic in general.</div></div></div></div><div class="break-inside-avoid"><h1 class="sect-head" style="display:inline-flex; align-items:center"><div data-toggle="tooltip" data-placement="bottom" title="" data-original-title="OCEAN personality assessment, or Big 5 personality traits model, is the second most well-known behavioral assessment framework after MBTI. It provides a holistic way of understanding how people are and what to expect of them.">OCEAN Profile : Zak's Key Traits </div></h1><div class="ocean_main personality_container" style="display: flex;align-items: center;justify-content: center;"><figure class="highcharts-figure"> <div class="frrole_circle_label" style="position: absolute;top: calc(50% - 67.5px);left: calc(50% - 66.5px);">ace</div> <div data-toggle="tooltip" data-placement="bottom" title="" data-original-title="Openness(O) reflects the degree of intellectual curiosity, a desire to seek new experiences and a preference for novelty and variety. Those scoring high tend to be inventive, curious and open to trying new things whereas those scoring low tend to be consistent, cautious and more realistic in their approach." style="position: absolute;top: -7%;left: calc(50% - 12px);z-index: 2;cursor: pointer; border-radius: 50%; color:#fff; background: linear-gradient(90deg, #963694, rgb(175,79,173));height: 30px;width: 30px;font-size: 14px;align-items: center;justify-content: center;display: flex;font-weight: bold;opacity:0.72">O</div><div data-toggle="tooltip" data-placement="bottom" title="" data-original-title="Conscientiousness(C) reflects the degree of self-discipline, focus on doing things in a planned manner and acting dutifully. Those scoring high are usually efficient, organized and focused whereas those scoring low tend to be easy-going, spontaneous and unreliable at times." style="position: absolute;right: 4%;top: calc(50% - 70px);z-index: 2;cursor: pointer; border-radius: 50%; color:#fff; background: linear-gradient(180deg, #f15a22, rgb(255,115,59));height: 30px;width: 30px;font-size: 14px;align-items: center;justify-content: center;display: flex;font-weight: bold;opacity:0.72">C</div><div data-toggle="tooltip" data-placement="bottom" title="" data-original-title="Extraversion(E) reflects the degree of assertiveness, sociability that an individual exhibits. People scoring high on extraversion tend to be outgoing, energetic and talkative whereas those scoring tend to be reserved, quiet and thoughtful, especially in social settings." style="position: absolute;bottom: 3%;left: calc(50% - -93px);z-index: 2;cursor: pointer; border-radius: 50%; color:#fff; background: linear-gradient(270deg, #bf55ec, rgb(216,110,255));height: 30px;width: 30px;font-size: 14px;align-items: center;justify-content: center;display: flex;font-weight: bold;opacity:0.72">E</div><div data-toggle="tooltip" data-placement="bottom" title="" data-original-title="Agreeableness(A) reflects the degree of compassion, cooperation and general friendliness in a person. Those scoring high are mostly even-tempered, pleasant and easy to convince whereas those scoring low tend to challenge and question things and are likely to have a contrarian attitude." style="position: absolute;left: 17%;top: calc(50% - -127px);z-index: 2;cursor: pointer; border-radius: 50%; color:#fff; background: linear-gradient(360deg, #be5683, rgb(215,111,156));height: 30px;width: 30px;font-size: 14px;align-items: center;justify-content: center;display: flex;font-weight: bold;opacity:0.72">A</div><div data-toggle="tooltip" data-placement="bottom" title="" data-original-title="Emotional Stability(ES) refers to the degree to which one can experience unpleasant emotions like anger, anxiety etc. easily. Those scoring high tend to be calm, stable and are not perturbed easily whereas those scoring low can be passionate, excitable and have low impulse control, especially under stressful circumstances. (Emotional Stability is same as Neuroticism rated on a reverse scale)" style="position: absolute;left: 5%;top: calc(50% - 70px);z-index: 2;cursor: pointer; border-radius: 50%; color:#fff; background: linear-gradient(360deg, #f62459, rgb(255,61,114));height: 30px;width: 30px;font-size: 14px;align-items: center;justify-content: center;display: flex;font-weight: bold;opacity:0.72">N</div><div style="position: absolute;top: calc(50% - 106.5px);left: calc(50% - 106.5px);border-radius:50%;border: 1.5px dotted #c8c6c6;padding:105px"></div><div style="position: absolute;top: calc(50% - 135.5px);left: calc(50% - 135.5px);border-radius:50%;border: 1.5px dotted #c8c6c6;padding:133px"></div> <div id="ocean_container"></div> </figure><div class="row traits-row" style="position: relative;width:70%;justify-content:flex-end;margin-right:10px"><div class="personality-cards col-md-10"><div class="personality-head">Agreeableness</div>Agreeableness(A) reflects the degree of compassion, cooperation and general friendliness in a person. Those scoring high are mostly even-tempered, pleasant and easy to convince whereas those scoring low tend to challenge and question things and are likely to have a contrarian attitude.</div><div class="personality-cards col-md-10"><div class="personality-head">Conscientiousness</div>Conscientiousness(C) reflects the degree of self-discipline, focus on doing things in a planned manner and acting dutifully. Those scoring high are usually efficient, organized and focused whereas those scoring low tend to be easy-going, spontaneous and unreliable at times.</div><div class="personality-cards col-md-10"><div class="personality-head">Extraversion</div>Extraversion(E) reflects the degree of assertiveness, sociability that an individual exhibits. People scoring high on extraversion tend to be outgoing, energetic and talkative whereas those scoring tend to be reserved, quiet and thoughtful, especially in social settings.</div></div></div><hr class="divider-hr" style="margin-bottom:20px"></div>

Zak Pantelli

Distinguished Architect & Senior Director - Data Security & Cryptography at GSK

Manchester Area, United Kingdom

Overview

Personality Overview

Topics They Care About

Media Appearances

Work History

Education

More Information

Social Presence :

Prographics :

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Insights For Selling To Zak

During A Call Or A Meeting

When Cold Calling

Pattern Interrupt: Speaking in a slightly hesitant manner, and seeking their permission at the start through a negation can get you a chance.

Pace: Speak slightly fast, especially if you tend to be calm and confident. Sound like a ‘knows their domain’ person.

Tone: Keep your tone slightly apprehensive, as if you are a little unsure about calling them.

Tactics To Win: Use of negations, giving full information

Mistakes To Avoid: Use of superlatives, overusing social proof

Making The Ask: Use negations, it is extra effective with them. It gives them a chance to say no, they like doing that.

Subconscious Driver: They believe they know a lot, so it needs to make sense as well as make them curious. They need to think that it is something worth investigation.

Greeting: Hi Zak, this is [user_fname] at [user_companynamefirsttwowords].

Opener: You probably don’t want to be on this cold call, would it be a problem if I asked for 30 seconds of your time?

Introduction: My company has leveraged 30+ years of research to build an AI that can predict anyone's personality, behavior and decision-making style before you even spend a minute with them.

Ask: Companies like [abc], [xyz] have been able to move [KPI1] by X% and [KPI2] by Y%. Would it be too much to put 15 minutes on your calendar to share why this could be high ROI for you?

Close: Can I suggest [time1] on [date1]? Or would you prefer any other slots? And [prospect_email] would be the right email ID for you?

When Writing An Email

Subject: Exciting but objective

Salutation: Yes ( Something usual)

Greeting: No

Emojis/GIFs:

Bullet Points: Could use

Closing Line: Logically summarize, keep high energy

Complimentary Close: Unique or standard

Tone of Words: Confident, informational

Overall Messaging: Focused on generating excitement while staying objective

Length of Mail: Medium

While Negotiating & Closing

The secret to closing fast with Zak is

Will you ever get a clear answer from Zak

Insights For Deal Planning

How fast (or slow) will Zak move?

Can Zak take some risk or not?

You And Zak

Personality Compatibility

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