Mark Higgs CIO / CTO

Experience

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  NTT Com Security

  Dec 2010 - Dec 2013

  Principal Security Consultant
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  NHS Direct

  Dec 2013 - Apr 2015

  Head of Network Operations
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  NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency)

  Apr 2015 - Jul 2016

  Principal Security Consultant
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  Nationwide Building Society

  Jul 2016 - Nov 2017

  Principal Security Architect
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  House of Fraser

  Nov 2017 - Jul 2018

  Head of Information Security
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  CGI

  Jul 2018 - Apr 2020

  MSSP Director

  CGI Inc. is one of the largest multinational IT Consultancies, with 90,000 Consultants operating in 400 locations globally. I was engaged as MSSP Director in an emergency interim directorship to turnaround the MSSP service for commercial and government customers. > Led MSSP transformation across people, processes and systems, establishing a high-performing service, reducing customer complaints by 80%. > Developed robust Go-to-Market (GTM) strategy for premium service, securing new public & private sector customers. > Replaced legacy tools with complementary industry leading licensed solutions.> Restructured 24/7 SOC, employing additional FTEs and securing additional finances to improve services. Show less

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  WHSmith

  Apr 2020 - Sept 2021

  Head Of Information Security

  WH Smith PLC is a FTSE250 multi-brand international online and physical retailer. As Head of Information Security, I led a team of in-house and outsourced specialists, responsible for Information Security for the Group’s multiple businesses. > Secured budget by conducting an end-to-end security assessment aligned with industry-standard frameworks, effectively prioritising critical business systems and presenting findings to senior management.> Delivered security training and awareness tool for 2500+ users to improve end user skills and reduce risk, reducing phishing click rates by 15%. > Operationalised existing forensic tools, reducing mean time to recovery for alert resolution.> Led response and recovery from ransomware attack. and established measures to prevent recurrence. > Secured increased capex budget during COVID budget freeze based on security audit’s findings.> Performed data classification exercise and achieved buy-in to assign responsibility to business owners. Show less

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  LIPTON Teas and Infusions

  Sept 2021 - Jan 2024

  Chief Information Officer

  Lipton Group the Global Leader in Tea manufacturing and sales with €2b turnover. Previously owned by Unilever, and sold to CVC Capital Partners in 2022.I was initially appointed CISO, then additionally appointed CIO in a dual role on an interim basis to lead deployment of a greenfield IT organisation and technology environment to support the Group on their carveout journey from Unilever.> Successfully delivered a global, €multi-million ERP consolidation and migration program to challenging timescales necessitated by carveout from Unilever, laying the foundation for future growth. > Championed creation of PMO for effective resource coordination, cost management and prioritisation across 4 simultaneous workstreams, collaborating with Accenture to ensure efficient project delivery.> Secured emergency funds to kickstart critical initiatives with service providers, enabling immediate action and allocation of resources for vital infrastructure, ERP system enhancements, and hardware procurement.> Held 3rd-party vendors accountable for failure to deliver contracted deliverables, securing a significant refund.> Oversaw successful delivery of a €multi-million greenfield Azure Cloud Transformation program, modernising the company’s IT infrastructure, improving agility, and driving innovation. > Significantly reduced budget through solution consolidation, contractor reduction, and eradication of 2000 over-scoped licenses. > Established Cyber Security framework, conducted a post go-live Total Security Review, swiftly remediated vulnerabilities, and secured budget for penetration tests to ensure protection against emerging threats.> Secured post go-live stabilisation budget for resolution of business-critical ordering issues in the USA. > Navigated complex data migration process during Cloud Azure implementation, transferring data for 2000 Unilever users while navigating ownership debates and facilitating agreements with business unit owners. Show less

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  The Blue Kite Academy Trust

  Jan 2024 - now

  Board Trustee
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  RCK Programme Methods

  Mar 2024 - now

  Engagement Director

  Experienced C-Level Executives with proven transformation experience across Finance, Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain & Logistics, HR and Technology.We have implemented transformation at a global level, delivering M&A Integration, Private Equity Carveouts, Value Creation, Cost Reduction, Legacy Replacement and System Upgrades.We have been in our client's shoes and bring a wealth of practical expertise across various transformations. From operating model, business case, and requirements definition, application & system integrator down select, through to process adoption & value realisation.We have engaged almost every tier 1 consulting firm, system integrator and solution provider. We have delivered Digital Transformation, ERP-enabled Transformation, and Operating Models and effectively deployed our local and dedicated offshore capabilities. Show less

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  Swansea University

  Sept 2024 - now

  PhD Finance
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  LDC

  Sept 2024 - now

  Interim CIO