Paul Harris

Paul Harris Email and Phone Number

Independent CISO | Cybersecurity | FTSE 100 | Executive | Operational & Technology Risk | Digital Transformation | Operational Resilience in Continuity | Chief of Staff | Financial Services | Aviation | Veteran | DV | SC @ Consultant / Self-Employed
Paul Harris's Location
Manchester, England, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
About Paul Harris

🚀 InfoSec, Cyber, Technology Risk & Resilience Executive | Banking | FS | Military AviationI am a cybersecurity and technology resilience risk practitioner with 12+ years’ experience in directing digital and cyber security transformation, and operational risk reduction across financial services and UK Defence. I have an evidence-rich reputation for delivering results under the spotlight, attracting strategic sponsorship and trust. A customer-centric thinker and data-driven decision-maker, I translate strategies into actionable, results-driven initiatives.🏦 Financial Services Leadership6+ years at Barclays, a Tier 1 Capital FTSE 100 Bank, I led teams of up to 750+ as Chief of Staff to Barclays Group CISO, I was responsible for cybersecurity strategy, operational resilience, and digital transformation ops and change. I led strategic projects such as the global cybersecurity controls maturity programme and co-directed Barclay's crisis response to COVID-19 under the Group CSO. Author of Barclays' cyber-SaaS strategy, TOM, and its Firm-wide Operational Resilience maturity programme. I managed a £350m OpEx, £35m CapEx and £67m Tech vendor portfolio, identifying and delivering over £70m+ in financial saves.✈️ Defence & Aviation ExpertiseI served 19 years as a senior RAF officer, initially as a fast jet co-pilot, I led military strategy and operations across the Middle East. Appointed as Director of Operations & Tech at Kandahar Int'l Airport at the height of the ISAF War to counter Al-Qaeda, before leading the UK's contribution to counter-ISIS in Syria. Head FPP auditor of a £2.6Bn programme to bring the A-330 and A-400M fleets into RAF Service, generating £450m in savings, and re-allocating £500m into AI research. 🔑 Regulatory & Framework ProficiencyI possess extensive knowledge in GRC, including international regulations such as DPA, GDPR, PCI-DSS, CPI-IOSCO, NIS2, DORA, and SOC2, alongside proficiency in cybersecurity frameworks such as NIST and ISO 27001, enabling me to navigate complex global regulatory landscapes effectively.🤖 Innovator in the AI EraExperienced in delivering public, hybrid and private Cloud security and SOC capability transformations, and developing AI in cybersecurity capabilities across a global banking enterprise architecture👥 LeadershipAs a former Senior Leadership Instructor at the UK RAF College, Cranwell, I'm passionate about coaching and mentoring. I believe that inspired, motivated, and trusted people are the cornerstone of achieving strategic growth and success in any business organisation.

Paul Harris's Current Company Details
Consultant / Self-Employed

Consultant / Self-Employed

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Independent CISO | Cybersecurity | FTSE 100 | Executive | Operational & Technology Risk | Digital Transformation | Operational Resilience in Continuity | Chief of Staff | Financial Services | Aviation | Veteran | DV | SC
Paul Harris Work Experience Details
  • Consultant / Self-Employed
    Independent Ciso - Cybersecurity Advisory
    Consultant / Self-Employed Jul 2024 - Present
    United Kingdom
    Provision of consultancy to CxO/XO/GMs leveraging 12+ years of director-level leadership in cybersecurity, operational risk and business resilience. Helping translate the complexities of cybersecurity defence investment and delivery for senior leadership, to fortify organisational defences that counter the rapidly evolving, GenAI-enabled, cyber threat landscape.
  • Consultant / Self-Employed
    Professional Development (Cissp)
    Consultant / Self-Employed Jan 2024 - Jun 2024
    Manchester Area, United Kingdom
    6-month reflection period to focus on professional development and personal goals
  • Barclays
    Deputy Ciso Uk & Chief Of Staff
    Barclays Sep 2022 - Jan 2024
    London Area, United Kingdom
    Barclays is a global Tier 1 capital consumer, retail, corporate and investment bank, employing 93,000 colleagues, partnering with over 1,700 third-party suppliers and 12,000 managed service providers, across 150+ corporate sites dispersed across 55 countries. The Firm is an FTSE 100 that published its FY23 revenue as £25.4Bn with a profit of £6.6Bn. Barclays services 48m customers and clients with consumer, retail, corporate, small business, private banking, markets, investment, customer care, wealth management and global payments services, 24-7/365. The Firm is split into Barclays UK, Barclays International and Barclays Execution Services, the latter comprising the Chief Operating Office and Group Functions, which service BI and BUK business and customers, daily.In this role, I spearheaded the enhancement of Barclays UK-wide cybersecurity posture during a critical period of organisational transformation. Tasked with reducing residual cyber, data, and technology risks, I implemented advanced security controls, ensuring alignment with board-level risk appetite. I led the design and pilot of a pioneering third-party supplier cybersecurity framework, improving risk visibility across 15m UK customer data profiles. Additionally, I optimised the UK cybersecurity workforce, driving a £3.5m cost-saving initiative across a 210 FTE team and a £36m cyber ops budget. This role solidified Barclays' cybersecurity defences while ensuring operational continuity and resilience.
  • Barclays
    Executive Director Cyber & Operational Resiliency Transformation
    Barclays Mar 2020 - Sep 2022
    Manchester Area, United Kingdom
    During one of the most challenging periods in recent history, I co-directed Barclays' firmwide Covid-19 crisis response and led the recovery to Business as Usual (BaU). I established and launched a comprehensive Business Resilience Transformation Programme, enhancing human, digital, and technological resilience across all 27 business lines. This initiative not only ensured uninterrupted service for global customers but also bolstered regulatory and shareholder confidence. My leadership was pivotal in navigating the complexities of the pandemic, safeguarding both operational integrity and enterprise security.
  • Barclays
    Director Cybersecurity Delivery & Transformation - Global Security
    Barclays Nov 2017 - Mar 2020
    London Area, United Kingdom
    Transitioning from a distinguished military career, I took charge of transforming Barclays' InfoSec operations into a cutting-edge Cyber Security-as-a-Service (CSaaS) model. Leading high-stakes security technology initiatives, I collaborated with top industry partners and regulators to enhance Barclays' defence capabilities. My leadership ensured the successful delivery of a robust cybersecurity change portfolio, optimising Barclays' resilience against evolving threats. This role underscored my ability to drive large-scale transformations while maintaining stringent security standards.
  • Uk Ministry Of Defence
    Director Of Strategic Airlift Delivery - Uk Defence
    Uk Ministry Of Defence Mar 2014 - Jul 2017
    High Wycombe
    In this strategic leadership role, I was the RAF top-level-budget lead for the UK's strategic air transport and air-to-air refuelling capability development programme, reporting directly to RAF Finance & Military Capability executives who advised the UK Defence C-Suite. A decision-maker on a major UKGOV-reporting transformation programme to modernise the UK's strategic air mobility, air-to-air refuelling (AAR), and Royal/UK PM charter aircraft fleets, managing 15 complex technology equipment programmes with a mandate to retire 55 outdated aircraft to replace them with 30 next-generation aircraft. This programme required meticulous planning, risk management, and coordination across all 14 defence lines of development and numerous third-party stakeholders, ensuring that the £3.2Bn UK GOV investment delivered maximum value for UK Defence and taxpayers. My leadership enhanced UK Defence's strategic AAR and Air Mobility capability, ensuring operational readiness and global reach. In the final audit of costs, I generated £450m in cost savings and a further £550m in budget reallocation to emerging cyber defence priorities.
  • Uk Ministry Of Defence
    Chief Of Staff & Uk/Us Ministerial Advisor (Syria)
    Uk Ministry Of Defence Jul 2014 - Mar 2015
    London, England, United Kingdom
    As the Chief Strategist and Adviser to the Cabinet Office, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, and the Defence Minister, I played a key role in shaping the UK’s strategy to combat Daesh (ISIS/ISIL) in Syria. Embedded within a coalition inter-agency task force, I served as the sole UK Ambassador, representing national interests in a highly volatile environment. My work involved high-level strategic planning, cross-agency coordination, and real-time decision-making under extreme pressure. The role demanded exceptional leadership and the ability to navigate complex geopolitical landscapes, directly contributing to global security efforts.
  • Uk Ministry Of Defence
    Deputy Director & Senior Leadership Instructor (Royal Air Force College, Cranwell)
    Uk Ministry Of Defence Sep 2012 - Mar 2014
    Raf College Cranwell
    Delivered Degree-level classroom theory and practical field leadership training to 2,000+ RAF officers. This role involved designing and managing a 24-week programme that included 12 intensive field leadership exercises. Also oversaw the planning and execution of 15+ RAF College air displays for graduations and annual events (Battle of Britain, Armistice Day etc), enhancing the reputation of the UK Armed Forces across Europe. Leadership development initiatives nurtured the next generation of RAF leaders, instilling the critical thinking, resilience, and strategic acumen essential for modern military operations.
  • Uk Ministry Of Defence
    Early Career
    Uk Ministry Of Defence Sep 1998 - Sep 2012
    20+ Operational Deployment Across Europe, Middle East, Apac & Americas
    Spanned multiple roles - early career as a fast jet aero systems engineer before training to pilot fast jet as a weapons systems navigator officer. On completion of flying appointments, promotion led to deployments to lead international strategy and military campaign planning. Served on military deployments across Iraq, Afghanistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey, Oman and the USA.

Paul Harris Education Details

Frequently Asked Questions about Paul Harris

What company does Paul Harris work for?

Paul Harris works for Consultant / Self-Employed

What is Paul Harris's role at the current company?

Paul Harris's current role is Independent CISO | Cybersecurity | FTSE 100 | Executive | Operational & Technology Risk | Digital Transformation | Operational Resilience in Continuity | Chief of Staff | Financial Services | Aviation | Veteran | DV | SC.

What schools did Paul Harris attend?

Paul Harris attended King's College London, University Of Bristol, Defence School Of Aeronautical Engineering (Dsae), Defence Studies Department, Cranfield University, Defence School Of Aeronautical Engineering (Dsae), Defence School Of Aeronautical Engineering (Dsae).

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