The cybersecurity landscape is facing increasing scrutiny from regulators, customers, and boards, prompting a necessitate for specialized expertise in risk management, and compliance. In response, Red Helix has appointed Simon Michie as Managing Director of Risk Crew, its consultancy focused on information security governance, risk, and compliance. This move comes after Red Helix’s acquisition of Risk Crew in 2025, aiming to provide a more comprehensive suite of security services.
Michie brings over three decades of experience in digital infrastructure, cloud, and managed services to his new role. His background centers on product and technology leadership, with a proven track record of building and scaling technology-led businesses. The appointment signals Red Helix’s commitment to expanding its capabilities in cyber assurance, a growing area of demand as organizations navigate an increasingly complex threat environment. This leadership change within the Risk Crew unit is a strategic step for Red Helix.
A Veteran Leader Steps In
Prior to joining Risk Crew, Michie served as Chief Technology Officer at Pulsant, where he spearheaded the development of the company’s edge computing platform and oversaw technological advancements across 12 data centers. His experience similarly includes eight years as Chief Technology Officer at Redcentric, with responsibility for product strategy and the technology roadmap. He’s also a serial entrepreneur, having co-founded private businesses that were later sold, and has advised PLC and private equity boards on growth, integration, and exit planning.
Marion Stewart, Chief Executive Officer at Red Helix, emphasized Michie’s unique skillset. “Simon brings a fantastic combination of deep technical expertise, commercial acumen and leadership experience,” Stewart said. “Risk Crew plays a critical role in our ability to deliver complete cyber assurance, and Simon’s background in scaling complex technology businesses makes him ideally placed to lead the business into this next phase.”
Navigating a Changing Risk Landscape
Michie himself recognizes the evolving challenges facing organizations today. He points to geopolitical uncertainty, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, and increasingly stringent regulations as key factors reshaping the security and compliance landscape. “As geopolitical uncertainty, rapid advances in AI, and increasing regulation reshape the digital landscape, organisations need practical support to turn risk into resilience and compliance into competitive advantage,” Michie stated.
Risk Crew specializes in advising organizations on governance, risk, and compliance programs, as well as conducting thorough security testing. Red Helix positions the unit as a center of expertise within the larger group, and Michie’s primary task is to drive the next phase of growth and meet the rising demand for cyber assurance services. The company aims to simplify security supply chains by offering a vendor-agnostic approach.
Red Helix’s Integrated Security Approach
Red Helix describes itself as a comprehensive cybersecurity partner, offering expertise across services, networks, and risk management. With over 40 years of experience, the company supports clients through risk appetite assessment, strategy design, program execution, and ongoing validation through testing. The integration of Risk Crew’s consultancy with Red Helix’s operational security services creates a more holistic offering, encompassing governance, risk and compliance support, penetration testing, security awareness training, and 24/7/365 threat monitoring and incident response.
The company’s services are designed to provide clients with a single point of contact for multiple security needs. Headquartered in Buckinghamshire, Red Helix is focused on integrating continuous assessment and penetration testing with managed protection, detection, and response capabilities under Michie’s leadership. Michie announced his appointment on LinkedIn earlier this month, expressing enthusiasm for the opportunity.
As organizations grapple with increasingly sophisticated cyber threats and a complex regulatory environment, the demand for robust risk management and compliance solutions is only expected to grow. Red Helix’s investment in Risk Crew and the appointment of Simon Michie demonstrate a commitment to meeting this demand and providing clients with the expertise they need to navigate the evolving cybersecurity landscape. The next step for Red Helix will be to demonstrate the synergy between Risk Crew and its existing services, and to expand its reach within the market.
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