Mark is Freshfields’ Global Chief Information Security Officer, responsible for protecting the firm’s critical data and managing its global cybersecurity and business continuity strategies.
With a background in law enforcement and legal Mark brings extensive experience in business investigations and defence.
Since becoming Freshfields’ CISO in 2015, Mark has led the implementation of robust cybersecurity and business continuity frameworks and strengthened partnerships with leading security organisations and intelligence services.
He previously spent time on secondment at the National Cyber Security Centre (part of GCHQ), managing engagement between government and the legal sector on cybersecurity issues.
Mark focuses on safeguarding sensitive client data by ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and availability. He leads security risk management, regulatory compliance and robust data protection practices.
Mark excels in communicating complex risks to leadership and driving a strong security culture. He manages third-party risks and oversees operational resilience, threat detection, insider threat, business continuity and incident response.
Mark also advises on secure adoption of cloud services, e-discovery tools, and client collaboration platforms.
Education
- LLB Law, University of Derby
Professional qualifications
- Certified data privacy officer
- Certified information systems security officer
- ISO27001 Lead Implementer
- PMP
- Prince 2
Accolades
- Global 100 CISO, 2024
- UK CSO30 winner, 2024
- UK CSO30 - industry award for automation and AI, 2023
- UK CSO30 winner, 2023
- UK CSO30 - industry award for AI, 2023
- Global 100 CISO, 2022
- Global 100 CISO, 2021
- Most Trusted Pioneer CISO, 2020
- FT Innovator of the year, 2014
