KPMG bolsters cyber security team with three senior hires

Big Four firm KPMG has appointed three new senior hires to its Cyber Security team. The arrivals of James Todd, Graham Thomas and Catherine Collins enhance the firm’s cyber security offering and will help grow its client base.

In 2021, KPMG’s CEO Outlook Survey found cyber security was reported by CEOs globally as the number one threat to their company’s growth over the next three years. As such, the firm is keen to strengthen its capacity to help clients fight against cyber-attacks.

Commenting on the hires, Matthew Martindale, Cyber Security Partner in Financial Services at KPMG, said, “With demand for cyber security services so high, our new hires will serve to boost KPMG’s cyber offering and help communities to operate securely and with trust in a connected world.”

James Todd arrives to lead KPMG’s Security Operations capability development and service provision with a specific focus on financial services. Todd was previously Chief Technology Officer at BT Security, and recently joined the firm as Director of Financial Services Cyber and SecOps Lead. He also spent time providing organisations with guidance on security architectures and the implementation of cyber defence capabilities.

Todd said of his arrival, “I’m looking forward to providing the firm’s clients with solutions that can be delivered through automation and as managed services, which is a key part of helping them to strengthen their defences. I will be drawing on my expertise in designing and building cyber security centres for global organisations to create market leading capabilities that CISOs desperately need to tackle the growing number of cyber threats they face every day.”

Graham Thomas meanwhile has been hired by KPMG as Privacy Director in the Cyber Consulting team. He will take responsibility for Data Privacy for Financial Services, and lead the firm’s Privacy capability across the UK. Before joining the company, Thomas was Global Lead for Data Privacy & Responsibility for Cognizant. He also founded the consultancy’s privacy practice.

Thomas noted, “In the past, spending on data privacy was to achieve compliance with GDPR. Now it is more about how organisations deliver value and insights from data in a safe, trustworthy and sustainable manner. It is exciting to join the firm as the market shifts and having previously built a successful global data privacy practice.”

Catherine Collins finally has arrived with KPMG as Director of Financial Services Cyber. In the role, her key responsibilities will be business development, relationship management and project management. Prior to KPMG, she previously worked at Ankura Consulting Group as a Senior Director – during which time, she looked after business development and client relationship management for its Cyber & Privacy practice globally.

Collins added, “Cyber security is an increasing issue for businesses, and many are looking for the guidance, tools and reassurance to properly protect their organisation. I am thrilled to be able to join KPMG to help deliver great work for our clients and build trusted relationships.”