After taking on a career change from performing arts teacher to technology leadership in the Isle of Man, Shelley Langan-Newton discusses transferrable skills, connecting communities, and cyber security.
Currently CEO at digital identity platform SQR, Langan-Newton talks about the importance of identity verification in a world of remote working and AI.
Plus, she discusses her previous role as co-founder of the Isle of Man’s Internet Exchange and how it has helped the self-governed island stay connected, and as a former chair at the island’s Digital Forum, she discusses creating a surprisingly large tech community.
What is your current role?
I’m the CEO of SQR, and SQR is on a mission to make the world a safer place through efficient and inclusive identity verification. This means empowering organisations to trust that their clients are who they claim to be and allowing individuals to easily prove their identity. It’s increasingly crucial in today’s world, especially with the rise of deepfake technology and AI. We’ve recently gone through an acquisition and are working on our business plan for the next raise, focusing on both in-person and online identity verification and looking beyond initial client onboarding to what happens next.
What inspired the in-person focus, and what does that involve?
It’s something we don’t often see because there’s not always a seamless blend between online and in-person. Yet, we naturally blend these in our daily lives. It’s sensible to have a journey that weaves through both environments, allowing proof of identity in both settings because life isn’t just lived online or offline anymore—it’s more blended.
What has been your career journey that led you to become the CEO of SQR?
It’s what they call a “squiggly” career. I spent the first ten years as a performing arts teacher, lecturer, and education consultant. Then I transitioned into tech, previously working in telecoms tech and at a satellite operator. A few years ago, I took the plunge and left my previous job, feeling there was something else to explore. Now, I’m building on digital security and identifying gaps in what people fundamentally need; security is a foundational human requirement, and identity is a significant part of that.
Speaking of the digital world, tell us about some of the projects you spearheaded as chair at the Digital Forum of the Isle of Man?
We developed the Isle of Man’s Tech Map, which lists the different tech providers in the region. In a small community like the Isle of Man, you might think you know everyone, but we discovered over 70 tech providers among 80,000 people which is amazing. This awareness facilitates more collaboration and has a clustering effect. I’m excited about what the forum has achieved as a community, especially since our product isn’t limited to the Isle of Man, even though we operate from here.
You co-founded the Isle of Man Internet Exchange (ManxIX). What inspired that, and what impact did it have?
One of the challenges of being a small but mighty powerful nation is democratising the Internet, due to less eyeballs on screens causing less people to bring down the cost of that service. Telecoms infrastructure is hugely expensive to run, maintain, and secure. So by putting an Internet Exchange into the island, it acts as a hub for service providers, increasing efficiency by reducing the need to send data around the world and thus lowering costs. While it’s not an overnight solution and won’t instantly bring costs down, it’s part of the journey to collaboration and aiding people to be able to access the internet and build exciting and innovative projects on top of that because it’s not as expensive.
With your background in teaching, how has that influenced your leadership skills?
Initially, I didn’t realise I had transferable skills from teaching, but in education, especially performing arts, I learned to create safe spaces for creativity and innovation. These are skills I carry into leadership, fostering environments where people can excel. Seeing people reach their full potential is a source of personal satisfaction for me, and I’ve taken that with me outside of education.
Does your experience in performing arts help with public speaking now?
While I still get nervous, reframing it as excitement helps. My background helped me script and produce a quick video for a marketing video recently and I got our UX designer involved because he’s a natural in front of the screen. Then we recorded our two-minute script in a makeshift production unit, which took us about two hours in total, and I really enjoyed bringing in my creative skills.
Do you still engage in performing arts as a hobby?
I used to sing in a band until recently, which was great fun, but it became difficult with two children—one being eighteen and the other being four. Though I’ve stopped for now, I’ve started a smaller local project. I love singing, attending performances, and watching shows.
How do you wind down?
I go to the gym. It helps me clear my mind. Being mindful is important to remain focused throughout the day.
Were you always interested in technology?
I became more interested in tech after leaving teaching. What I love about technology is its ever-evolving nature; you must stay informed. It suits my curiosity because there’s always something new to learn.
Last question—how do you take your coffee?
An oat milk flat white is my go-to!
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