Crossword makes leadership changes to focus on growth

Security-focussed technology commercialisation company Crossword Cybersecurity said on Tuesday that it had “significantly strengthened” its leadership team, with the appointment of a group sales director and a new chair of its consulting subsidiary to assist in driving growth during 2020.

The AIM-traded firm said Sean Arrowsmith had been appointed as its first group sales director, joining in January, and would be responsible for both product and consulting sales activity.

It said Arrowsmith wold lead and grow the sales team, inheriting a “strong pipeline” for the ‘Rizikon Assurance’ risk product, which stood at more than £3m over 100 companies in a wide range of sectors.

He would bring with him more than 20 years of sales experience in cyber and information security and technology.

Arrowsmith was previously group sales director at IRM - the cyber security arm of engineering consulting firm Altran Technologies - where he was accountable for revenue target achievement across all of IRM's business streams including consulting, software and training.

In addition, the board said Dr Robert Coles had taken on the role as non-executive chair of Crossword Consulting - the group's consulting subsidiary.

Dr Coles knew Crossword well through his current role as chair of its advisory board, the directors said.

Crossword said he had “extensive experience” in building large-scale consulting practices, having been lead partner in KPMG's information security services for Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Dr Coles subsequently spent a number of years as a chief information security officer in large corporates including GlaxoSmithKline, National Grid and Merrill Lynch.

He is an honorary professor at University College London, and a visiting professor at Royal Holloway, University of London.

Jake Holloway, formerly business development director, was said to now be devoting himself full time to the role of chief product officer, bringing a “sharper focus” to building out Crossword's product portfolio and developing relationships with university partners, the board said.

Rob Johnson was leaving Crossword after two successful years as chief operating officer to “take up new challenges”, with the company saying that role would not be replaced.

“With Sean and Robert on board, alongside our current Executive team, we have the right people in place to scale up in 2020,” said chief executive officer Tom Ilube.

“Sean is a 20-year tech and cyber sales veteran with a proven track record, [and] Robert will bring his consulting experience, as lead partner at KPMG, to our consulting business as chair.

“I am delighted to have two such powerful leaders join our team.”