About the CREST Team

Nick has a track record of building and leading teams through transformation, having previously been the Chief Operating Officer of ORX, the largest global trade association supporting operational risk management in financial services (FS). In this role at ORX, Nick led a programme of fundamental organisational change whilst delivering strong growth and improved service quality.

Before ORX Nick worked in executive roles across finance and risk management divisions at Nationwide Building Society, one of the UK’s largest retail financial services providers.

Nick started his career at KPMG in their IT advisory divisions in London and Sydney, also qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (ICAS) in 2005. Nick earned a BA degree in accounting and finance from Exeter University.

Jo is the Finance Director at CREST, where she leads the organisation’s financial management and people-focused initiatives. In addition, she collaborates closely with members to maximise the value of their CREST membership.

With a career spanning over 20 years, Jo brings extensive expertise in working with membership associations, SMEs, and owner-managed businesses across the UK and internationally. Her specialisms include insourcing finance functions and driving digital finance transformation initiatives to support business growth.

Jo has also held various roles as a trustee and treasurer for local charities and trusts, reflecting her deep commitment to causes close to her heart.

A Chartered Accountant, Jo trained with Bishop Fleming in Bristol and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). Her deep industry knowledge and strategic approach have made her a trusted leader in the finance sector.

Contact: [email protected]

Andrew has nearly 20 years’ experience in user-focused communications and engagement for some of the UK’s most high-profile and complex organisations and projects.

Most recently he developed and led the international communications offer for WRAP, a global sustainability and climate action organisation tackling the drivers of climate change, working with businesses and governments across the world to deliver programmes and citizen-focused campaigns, and launching their Asia-Pacific office in Adelaide –  their first overseas office.

Previously, Andrew helped deliver the digital platforms and communications for the London 2012 Olympics legacy programme and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, and for five years was Head of Digital at High Speed Two, where he combined brand development and data-driven insights to build the organisation’s digital and social media presence. He also delivered the digital communications for UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK, a once-in-a-lifetime, nationwide festival celebrating the UK’s creativity and innovation sector, as part of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Establishing and leading his own agency, We Are Compass, over a six-year period saw Andrew delivered promotional marketing and engagement projects for London City Airport, Thames Water and the National College for Advanced Technology and Infrastructure. He also led the communications team for the 2018 Street Child World Cup in Moscow for the sport-led charity, Street Child United, who work with street-connected children and organisations across the world.

At CREST, Andrew is responsible for delivering our marketing and engagement strategy, our membership engagement, raising CREST’s global profile and promoting our international products and services.

Contact: [email protected]

Mark is a highly experienced strategic IT leader with a strong background in business transformation, governance, and cyber security. Holding a Master’s in Management and a degree in Systems Analysis, he has specialised in researching the success of organisational change and driving technology-enabled innovation.

Before joining CREST, Mark held senior leadership roles across financial services, education, and the charity sector, bringing over 20 years of expertise in IT strategy, business change, and information security. He has successfully led teams in implementing secure cloud-based infrastructures, regulatory compliance initiatives, and large-scale digital transformation programs, ensuring technology aligns with business goals and delivers measurable value.

At CREST, Mark plays a pivotal role in driving operational excellence, leading business change, and overseeing IT and data strategy.

Contact: [email protected]

As our Chief Product Officer, Sebastian Madden works to design, build, develop and quality assure national and organisational cyber security capability and capacity.

With a rich background in cyber security spanning nearly 30 years, Sebastian brings an enviable set of experiences in cyber across government and private sector roles to support us in our mission of global cyber excellence. He has helped over sixty countries in five continents develop strategies, operating models, organisations and workforces to build cyber resilience, national security and civil emergency structures.

Sebastian also sits on our International Council as our Middle East and Africa lead, representing the region’s needs.

Contact: [email protected]