Who
We Are
Blackpanda is Asia’s premier cyber security incident response group, comprised of an elite cadre of special risk and security experts from best-in-class international special forces, intelligence, forensics and law enforcement backgrounds.
We are hyper-focused on cyber security incident response and are the leading digital forensics and cyber crisis management firm in Asia, positioned throughout the region and incorporating the best of both Western and Asian business disciplines. Drawing on our military special forces background, Blackpanda maintains both the specialized technical expertise and client-centric cultural understanding necessary to lead our clients through crisis and beyond.
Our Co-Founders
MATT PECOT
Group Chairman, Co-Founder
Matt Pecot is Chairman and Co-Founder of Blackpanda Group. Matt previously served in the U.S. Army Special Forces and is the current Barclays Head of Markets for Asia-Pacific, a member of the Asia Pacific Executive Forum and Global Markets Executive Committee.
Matt has worked in Asia-Pacific for over 30 years in both the military and private sectors, previously serving as Head of Prime Services and Head of Equities Distribution at Credit Suisse in APAC.
GENE YU
Group CEO, Co-Founder
Gene Yu is Co-Founder and CEO of Blackpanda Group. A computer science honor graduate from West Point, Gene previously served in the U.S. Army Special Forces, and has authored three books. Gene has served in Asia across military and private sectors – as an equity swaps trader at Credit Suisse in Hong Kong and with Palantir Technologies’ Asia business development team in Singapore. Gene also attended Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Gene is currently best-known for leading one of the fastest recorded recoveries of a family friend, kidnapped in eastern Malaysia by Filipino Abu Sayyaf terrorists in late 2013.
KEVIN McCAFFREY
Executive Advisor, Co-Founder
Kevin McCaffrey is one of Blackpanda’s Co-Founders. Kevin is a practiced graduate of multiple highly respected intelligence, leadership, and military risk programs, specializing in crisis response and cyber warfare.
With over 15 years of experience in intelligence, security operations, and crisis management, Kevin previously served in the U.S. Army Special Forces as part of strategically deployed teams in Asia, the Middle East, and beyond. Kevin received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and is currently pursuing an MSc in
Cybersecurity Leadership.
Board Director
CHRISTINA GAW
Board Director
Christina Gaw serves as Blackpanda Group Board Director in addition to her role as Managing Principal and Head of Capital Markets at Gaw Capital.
Christina brings over 20 years of investment banking and investment management experience in Asia-Pacific. Blackpanda Group is proud to have Gaw Capital as a key investor.
Management Team
MARK WHITTLEY
VP Innovation
Mark is the VP of Innovation at Blackpanda, bringing with him over 30 years of professional IT experience, including 15 years in digital forensics and high-tech crime law enforcement.
He previously served as Senior Digital Forensic Examiner with the Australian Federal Police, following a prior private sector role as Head of Digital Forensics and Cyber Investigations at Novartis in Basel, Switzerland, and Head of Digital Forensics at The Global Fund in Geneva, Switzerland.
NATHAN REID
Director of DFIR
Nathan serves as the Director of Digital Forensics and Incident Response at Blackpanda, leading the cyber risk and incident response practice.
Nathan brings 12 years of specialist experience from the private and public sectors, having previously served as a Cyber Network Defense Specialist with the New Zealand government, and in the New Zealand Air Force specializing in communications and cyber defense.