Architecting Security
_{A Career Built on Curiosity and Innovation, from Engineer to CISO}

I am currently the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Capgemini, Cloud Infrastructure Services where I am responsible for implementing security controls and measures for organisations worldwide.

My journey to this position spans over 24 years. In the late 1990s, while studying for my A-levels, the internet was relatively new and just being introduced in schools and universities. I was fascinated by this revolution and the ability to connect and access information globally, even though the bandwidth was a mere 128k at the time! I saw the potential for the internet to revolutionise the world and wanted to be part of it. I knew there would be many career opportunities once I graduated from university, even though I wasn’t sure of the specific role or industry I would end up in.

In line with the internet revolution, I realised that information would become increasingly valuable, and how we handle, collect, and make sense of it would be crucial. I chose to study Information and Computing at Loughborough University, which provided the foundation for my career. After graduation, I secured a place on a graduate program, giving me my first step into the world of IT and telecoms in the early 2000s. My first role was as a Systems Engineer in a pre-sales environment. The graduate program taught me business and technical skills, as well as soft skills like presentation styles, interacting with clients, and stakeholder management.

As a Systems Engineer, I gained insight into different industry sectors and business objectives, which informed the solution designs I was responsible for. I discovered my passion for problem-solving and working directly with clients. After a decade in various Systems Engineering positions, I sought a new challenge and became interested in the role of a Solution Architect. This role involved architecting end-to-end solutions, covering technical and service operation designs, program management, commercials, and contract negotiations. It was a bigger role that helped me develop my leadership and stakeholder management skills.

Being a Solution Architect was one of the most enjoyable positions I held. It involved problem-solving for large, complex organisations. I became interested in cybersecurity, recognising it as the next field I wanted to join. Despite my limited knowledge in cybersecurity, I reached out to old contacts and learned about an opportunity for a Security Solution Architect position. I enjoyed the flexibility and autonomy of creating this role and successfully built a team of seven security solution architects supporting global clients pipeline worth over £500m per annum.

I developed my leadership skills and was promoted to Senior Manager – Global Cyber Security Solution Architecture, leading a global organisation of 70 FTEs with five sub-functions, including security solutions architecture, security product development, and 3rd line operational support. I also mentored and coached people across the industry to help build future talent for the security organisation, a passion I continue to pursue. After 19 years with that business, I sought a new challenge and joined Capgemini as a Security Director. I managed large teams of security professionals and delivered large-scale government national programs in both pre-sales and delivery.

With the support of my colleagues, mentoring, and network, I eventually secured a CISO position. This career ambition became a reality, and I continue to learn from my colleagues and peers every day. I share my experience with a wide range of people, from university students to new joiners and those looking to transition into security. I am also a committee member of Cyber Angels at Capgemini, an initiative aimed at empowering women in the cybersecurity industry by building a strong gender-diverse cybersecurity workforce through mentoring, coaching, career guidance, and personal development.

Throughout my career, I have found it helpful to keep learning, networking, seeking opportunities, and maintaining an open mind. This approach has been instrumental in my career journey, as the job I do today did not exist when I was studying A-levels. I always advise young students to be aware that many jobs available today did not exist in the past, around two thirds. With the advent of AI and robotics, the landscape will continue to evolve.

We are hiring for several opportunities in Cyber, Cloud and Infrastructure Services.