Tobi Patterson-Jones
Group Deputy CISO
Compass Group PLC
Tobi Patterson-Jones is a seasoned cybersecurity leader with a track record of steering security strategies across FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 companies in sectors including logistics, food, retail, and global services. His work focuses on building cyber resilient organisations. He has a passion for translating complex technical risks into clear, actionable insights for both tech teams and executive boards. Tobi is currently the Group Deputy CISO at Compass Group.
A fun fact about Tobi, he once coached leadership development through Seth Godin’s altMBA programme. He says it was “a truly wonderful experience with lessons I still apply every day.”
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Give us a brief overview of the path that led to your current role.
From a teenage inventor who stumbled into information technology, I soon realised information security was the area which most captured my interest. Over the years, I’ve led cyber transformation programmes, built and scaled security teams, and advised C-suite leaders at major organisations like Royal Mail and Grafton Group. These experiences have led to my current role at Compass Group, where I’m responsible for delivering cybersecurity strategy and operations at a global scale.
What is one of your guiding leadership principles?
Empower people to grow and own their decisions. I believe in fostering a culture of accountability and innovation, where team members are trusted to lead, experiment, and learn.
What is the greatest challenge security leaders face today, and how are you addressing it?
The biggest challenge is keeping up with the pace of change, both in terms of evolving cyber threats and the increasing use of new technologies to achieve business goals. To tackle this, I focus on continually strengthening cyber resilience through the use of data and automation, and by making cyber strategy and risk decisions as logical and transparent as possible.
What is the key to success for someone just starting out as a CISO?
Be curious and listen first. Learn the business deeply and build relationships across the organisation. Success in security leadership comes not just from technical expertise, but from the ability to influence, communicate risk clearly, and translate it into strategic business decisions. Ensuring your peers and leaders can relate to the decisions you’re asking them to back is a good foundation for success.
How do you measure success as a leader?
By the strength and autonomy of the teams I build, the resilience of the organisation in the face of threats, and ensuring our strategy and methodology are well understood – my math teacher always said to “show your workings out”.
What is the value of being a member of Gartner C-level Communities?
Being part of the Gartner C-level Communities provides the ability to share challenges and solutions with others who are facing similar challenges at a similar size and scale.
Gartner C-level Communities Governing Body members share their insights and leadership perspectives to shape the agendas and topics that address the top priorities impacting business leaders today.
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