Modern CISO Network: Board Book

Karen is a highly accomplished cybersecurity executive with experience spanning multiple business sectors, including the UK government, global insurance, financial services, business payroll services, telecommunications and software. Karen has held various security roles over the past 30 years, leading several global transformations in information security, technical security, physical security, personnel security, and in wider security-related specialties such as data protection, regulatory security, enterprise risk management, business resilience and corporate compliance.

Karen has operated at the C-suite level for many years, advising multiple boards and audit committees on the security risk posture of their organizations and helping them understand the actions required to mature their posture. An avid supporter of the qualitative and quantitative approach to risk management, Karen consistently advocates for a pragmatic business-risk-focused approach to security. She believes there isn’t a single solution that is right for all organizations — adaptability and collaboration are vital to ensure that security, privacy, and compliance support the unique objectives of each business. Karen has extensive experience as a crisis leader and has skillfully managed various security scenarios across diverse sectors. Her role has involved directing tabletop exercises and coordinating actual business crises, using her operational expertise for effective crisis communication and incident management.

With more than 20 years of service as a senior UK military officer, Karen has an expansive array of leadership and management skills. Her empathetic approach to leadership and engagement has been a cornerstone of her success in all of her leadership roles. Karen excels in working closely with businesses to ensure that security requirements are not just understood, but also deeply integrated into their processes. She focuses on making security an enabler for business operations, rather than a hindrance.

Karen has also previously held responsibilities as Data Protection Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, and Chief Risk Officer, giving her experience addressing wider business challenges and aligning supporting business functions. Karen is married and enjoys supporting her daughter in competitive rowing, walking her much-treasured dog, and paddle-boarding with her husband. An avid adventurer, Karen enjoys traveling, taking on new experiences both personally and professionally, and giving back to the community.