Mantel Group hires Nick Ellsmore to lead security business

Mantel Group has hired Nick Ellsmore to lead its cybersecurity business as it aims to expand its size to over 150 staff within 24 months.

A 25-year veteran of the Australian cybersecurity industry, Ellsmore has built and sold two cybersecurity professional services firms - Hivint, acquired by Trustwave in 2018, and Stratsec, acquired by BAE Systems Australia in 2010.

Both companies were Telstra Business Awards Winners and members of ‘fast growth’ lists.

Mantel Group said Ellsmore has written security strategies for multiple ASX50 companies, presented to meetings of APEC and OECD working groups, and led the design of the operating model for one of the federal government’s ‘cyber hubs’ under the 2021 Cyber Security Strategy.

“The market is shifting and to have the maximum impact in the cybersecurity space, you need to do more than just cybersecurity. Every ASX-listed company, every private company in the top 1000, every government agency has had a security review done by this point. The problem is not being able to close the known gaps,” said Ellsmore

“This may sound counter-intuitive coming from a security professional, but security professionals have a narrow field of vision. For security to be an enabler, and not a burden, you need to step back and see the bigger picture.  Through the cloud, data and digital capabilities alongside cyber security, Mantel Group can provide more complete solutions to security challenges, and avoid some security challenges altogether through better strategy and design."

“Mantel Group’s approach of being a principles-based organisation really resonates given my entrepreneurial history, and the culture has attracted a really impressive team. Having a mandate to pursue growth aggressively, and the resources to do so, that’s how I like to operate."

Ellsmore takes the reins from Adam Durbin who will move into the role of Mantel Group CTO.

“There is no better person than Nick to lead Mantel Group’s security capability to the next level," said Durbin.

"In a time where the focus from business leaders on security is at all time highs, and new technologies like Generative AI are changing both the threat and defence landscape, requiring organisations to revolutionise the way they manage their security. We are excited to have Nick join to focus on ensuring Mantel Group are leaders in cyber security."