Login to profile

About the CREST Team

Our dedicated team delivers services such as accreditation, examinations, certification, business development, governance and communications to our members around the world.

We also work closely with trusted contractors in the UK and internationally to deliver other services such as finance, marketing and events.

The accreditation team audits almost 300 members across a range of regions and cyber security disciplines. Accredited companies enjoy a range of benefits that support their businesses in the marketplace.

Our certifications team manage qualifications for thousands of cyber security professionals globally, supporting capabilities and competencies within the industry and helping to grow capacity to meet the rising demand for services.

The team also provides strategic leadership, business development, governance, communication and finance services to the CREST organisation. In this we work closely with our Regional Councils, which represent our members and cyber security disciplines globally, and the International Council which is our senior governing body.

Our team is here to help, and we welcome enquiries and input from members and stakeholders. Please see below and the contact page for details.

 

Meet the Senior Leadership Team

Nick Benson

Chief Executive Officer

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 Cains

Finance Director

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 Collinson

Marketing & Engagement Director

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 Grigg

Operations Director

Sebastian Madden

Chief Product Officer

Core contractors

We work with a dedicated team of contractors providing additional services and support to CREST and its members and stakeholders.

Examinations marking, development and delivery is supported by the CREST Assessors.