Chief Information Security Officer in Reading

At Grant Thornton we do things differently – looking to the future, driving ambitious growth, and pioneering positive change in our industry. Providing audit, tax and advisory services, we empower clients through strategic insight, curiosity, and genuine partnership. We also empower our people with real opportunity, an inclusive culture, and work‑life balance. A true alternative.

With over 5,000 people in the UK and a presence in 150 global markets, we are on an ambitious journey from great to exceptional, and we need the best people to help us achieve our potential. In this environment we give you the opportunity to help redefine what our industry looks like and what you want from your career.

Job Description

Location – London

NEW GROUND WON’T BREAK ITSELF. Grant Thornton UK is a leading professional services firm providing audit, tax and advisory services. The firm is undergoing a significant technology‑led transformation, including the enterprise deployment of generative AI, a product‑centric IT operating model, and the modernisation of data platforms. Combined with the firm’s obligations to regulators, clients, and professional standards bodies, security governance and risk management is a critical discipline. The CISO will be the firm’s senior IT security authority, reporting directly to the CIO. The role bridges strategic risk ownership and hands‑on governance, ensuring security is embedded by design into platforms, products and processes. This is not a purely advisory role; the CISO will own the security framework, lead a team, and be a visible and influential voice at senior leadership level.

Key Responsibilities

• Security Strategy and Governance: Develop and maintain the firm’s Information Security strategy, aligned to the IT strategy, CDO priorities and the broader digital transformation programme. Own and operate the Information Security Management System (ISMS), ensuring compliance with ISO 27001 and other applicable standards. Provide senior input to the risk committees on AI and information security, and represent security at the AI Governance Board. Maintain and report on a cyber risk register, providing regular risk posture updates to the CIO, CDO and relevant governance forums.
• AI and Digital Transformation Security: Lead security governance for the firm’s generative AI programme. Assess and govern emerging risks from AI‑generated outputs, including artefact hosting, client‑facing microsites, and third‑party MCP integrations.
• Risk, Compliance and Regulatory Obligations: Ensure the firm’s security posture meets obligations to professional standards bodies (ICAEW, FRC), client contractual requirements, and applicable regulation. Lead incident response governance, including classification, escalation, investigation and lessons‑learned processes for cyber and information security incidents. Oversee third‑party and supplier security risk management, including due diligence on SaaS platforms (ESM, GRC, LMS, HR systems) and cloud infrastructure providers. Support or lead engagement with cyber insurers, clients, external auditors and any regulatory enquiries related to information security.
• Security Culture and Awareness: Drive a security‑aware culture across the firm, developing and maintaining the training and awareness programme so it is engaging, practical and proportionate. Champion a ‘secure by design’ mindset across IT, the digital team and the wider business, particularly as new products and platforms are introduced.
• Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement: Lead, manage and develop the security function, including GRC, security engineering and awareness roles. Act as the primary escalation point and senior authority for all security matters, providing clear and credible advice to the CIO, CDO and firm leadership. Represent Grant Thornton UK in external forums, industry bodies and client conversations where security governance or assurance is relevant. Build influence and effective working relationships with the CISO community across the Grant Thornton International network.

Knowing you’re right for us

We’ve set ambitious growth targets for the firm, and we need the right people to help us achieve these. We’re looking for people who will bring ambition and drive to their role. In changing markets we need to be able to work at pace, be adaptable to change, and be curious, asking questions of ourselves, each other and our clients to ensure we are delivering the services and quality we expect.

Essential Experience

• Proven experience as a CISO or senior information security leader in a professional services, financial services or similarly regulated environment.
• Demonstrable track record of developing and operating an ISMS, managing a cyber risk register, and reporting to senior leadership and governance forums.
• Hands‑on experience governing AI platforms from a security and compliance perspective, including data governance, audit logging and acceptable use.
• Experience owning DLP controls, incident response processes and third‑party security risk management in a cloud‑first environment.
• Strong grasp of relevant compliance frameworks: ISO 27001, NIST CSF, UK GDPR, and professional services regulatory obligations.

Desirable Experience

• Familiarity with generative AI platforms, LLM governance, and emerging risks from AI‑generated content and tool integrations (MCP, API gateways).
• Experience with CrowdStrike or equivalent EDR/SIEM platforms, including integration with compliance logging pipelines.
• Exposure to Microsoft Fabric, Databricks or similar data platform environments.
• Experience operating within a Big Four or Top Ten professional services firm, including understanding of client confidentiality obligations and engagement letter governance.

Qualifications

• CISSP, CISM, or equivalent professional certification.
• ISO 27001 Lead Implementer or Auditor (desirable).
• Degree in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Computer Science or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.

Knowing we’re right for you

The culture at Grant Thornton is what sets us apart. We’re known for an inclusive culture and for creating environments where all our people can flourish. The things that set you apart, we value them, and this helps us all to perform at our best. Our values are the unwavering principles that shape our daily behaviours and decisions, alongside our drive to do the right thing. We’re looking for people who align with our values and are purposefully driven, actively curious and candid but kind.

Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary and reward package, you’ll also get:

• Tailored development programmes and access to coaching
• Flexible bank holidays – allowing you to celebrate the days that are important to you
• Benefits including pension, life assurance and private medical, additional holiday purchasing and health benefits
• Any benefits giving you access to shopping discounts, gym memberships, financial advice
• And more.

How We Work

We have a trust‑based way of working, driven by responsible people who have the best interests of our firm and our clients at heart. Our framework gives flexibility in where, how and when we work to deliver the best results for our clients, whilst helping you keep a balance between work and life. Life is more than work, the things you do, and the people you’re with outside of work matter, that’s why we’re happy to look at flexible working options for all our roles. That is how it should be. We’re looking for people who can help drive the business forward, who want to contribute, spark fresh ideas and go beyond expectations. People who want to be able to proudly do what’s right, for the firm, our clients, our people and themselves. It’s how it should be.