Neil Lee
Group Head of IT and Security
Mott MacDonald Group
Neil Lee serves as the Group Head of IT and Security at Mott MacDonald, a $2 Billion GBP, 20,00 employee global engineering services organisation, focusing on robust IT operations, innovative IT solutions and robust security strategies.
In his spare time, Neil has a passion for riding motorbikes (Track and Desert), a thrilling hobby that contrasts with the precision and structure of a professional life.
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Give us a brief overview of the path that led to your current role.
My career trajectory in IT and engineering began with a foundational interest that led me to start as an electrician. My passion for technology led me to obtain a degree in computing at 25, after which I worked with major organisations like P&G and HP in the defence sector. The shift in industry focus brought me to a role as the Head of IT at a Public Transport Executive, eventually leading to my involvement with the Qatar Rail project in readiness for the World Cup.
In 2015, I joined Mott MacDonald in Singapore as the Head of Service Delivery and Applications, progressing through various roles to now lead the IT function. My career, though not planned in this direction, has seamlessly blended my passion for engineering and technology with this current leadership role.
What is one of your guiding leadership principles?
Make everyone look good and enhance the perception of everyone’s contributions. By supporting your manager, you align with the group’s priorities and emphasise the importance of key objectives. By elevating your peers, you foster collaboration and shared achievements. By celebrating your team’s successes, you cultivate a positive and energised team dynamic. Avoid actions that could undermine relationships and collaborative efforts.
What is the greatest challenge CISOs face today, and how are you addressing it?
The increasing cyber threats through AI and other advanced technology is particularly concerning. Through an ongoing program of System Hardening and working with partners like Microsoft, we continue to increase our capability to Detect, Respond and Recover from a cyber attack event.
What is the key to success for someone just starting out as a CISO?
Establish trusted relationships and a deep understanding of the business strategy, recognising how it applies across various contexts and ensures your priorities and actions consistently support the agreed-upon strategy.
How do you measure success as a leader?
Success is fundamentally about the perception and trust others have in you as a leader. It’s about being seen as trustworthy, capable of executing effectively, and fostering an environment of collaboration that empowers others to succeed.
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