Matt Houlihan

Matt Houlihan is Vice President of Government Affairs, Europe at Cisco, where he leads the company’s strategic engagement with policymakers across the UK and Europe — at a defining moment for the future of technology, AI regulation, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, and Europe’s global competitiveness.

Operating at the highest intersection of business, government, and international policy, Matt helps shape the conversations that determine how technology can drive economic growth, strengthen resilience, and support a more inclusive digital future. His work is deeply aligned with Cisco’s mission to power an inclusive future for all, while advancing forward-looking policies that enable innovation, trust, and responsible digital transformation at scale.

With a distinguished background spanning both the public and private sectors, Matt brings rare insight into how policy is made, how governments think, and how global technology companies can work with institutions to build stronger digital economies. Before joining Cisco, he held key roles within the UK government, including diplomatic postings in Paris and Brussels with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, service on the Prime Minister’s EU team, positions within the UK interior ministry, and a role as advisor to the UK’s EU Commissioner.

Matt currently chairs the International Technology Policy and Trade Working Group and serves on the Executive Committee of the Industry and Parliament Trust, further reinforcing his role as a trusted voice in technology policy, trade, and government-industry collaboration.

For Webit 2026 Sofia, Matt represents exactly the calibre of leader shaping the next phase of Europe’s digital future. His perspective will be especially valuable for an audience of senior executives, policymakers, founders, investors, and technology leaders seeking to understand how AI, cybersecurity, regulation, and digital infrastructure will define competitiveness, trust, and growth over the next decade.