Building Community Through Security and Storytelling: Niall Ashley’s Approach to a More Open Mainframe

This piece is part of the 2026 Planet Mainframe Influential Mainframers series.

For Niall Ashley, the strength of the mainframe community lies in how openly it shares.

As a security consultant specializing in IBM Z, Ashley brings deep technical expertise to his work. But his broader impact is shaped by something equally important: a commitment to making the ecosystem more accessible, collaborative, and connected.

That commitment is visible across everything he does, from education and mentorship to event leadership and content creation. As a returning IBM Champion and active contributor to initiatives like WAVEZ and the Open Mainframe Project, Ashley has become a central figure in efforts to support both current professionals and those just entering the field.

A defining example of that work is his role in helping organize the first international re:ipl event. Designed as a community-driven experience, the event focused on lived experiences, career journeys, and open conversation. It was not about any single speaker or organization, but about creating space for connection.

That philosophy carries through his broader contributions.

Ashley is deeply involved in education at every level. He regularly speaks at universities across the UK, introducing students to mainframe security and career pathways while helping demystify the platform. His sessions are practical and engaging, often designed to show how accessible the technology can be when presented in the right context.

He also contributes extensively to community-led learning through conferences, webinars, and workshops. As a stream lead within WAVEZ and a contributor to events such as GSE UK and IBM TechXchange, he helps shape programming that supports both new and experienced professionals.

At the same time, Ashley’s work extends into content and storytelling. He publishes articles on topics such as RACF security and participates in podcasts and interviews that explore both technical concepts and career journeys. As the interviewer for Mainframe Society’s “The Mainframe Community” podcast, he has created a platform that highlights a wide range of voices, including students and early-career professionals who are often underrepresented.

This focus on visibility is intentional. By inviting new voices into the conversation, Ashley helps broaden the community’s self-perception.

Accessibility is another key theme in his work. He advocates for making mainframe technology easier to engage with, whether through improved interfaces, better educational resources, or more affordable pathways into the ecosystem. His efforts reflect an understanding that barriers to entry are not only technical, but also educational and financial.

Across all of these contributions, a consistent pattern emerges. Ashley is not only sharing knowledge, but actively creating opportunities for others to participate, contribute, and grow.

As the mainframe ecosystem continues to evolve, that kind of work plays a critical role. It strengthens the talent pipeline, fosters collaboration, and helps ensure that the platform remains both relevant and accessible.

As a 2026 Planet Mainframe Influential Mainframer, Niall Ashley is helping build a more open, inclusive, and community-driven future for the mainframe.