I’m a problem solver who leads by doing. I fix what’s broken, get things shipped and modernise businesses, often where there’s no playbook.
I started as an engineer, and at 23 I was a founding engineer at a telecoms start-up. Since then I’ve run a pan-European internet network serving Europe’s public sector, led a £300m international portfolio and more than 500 people at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, and most recently helped build a Cambridge AI spin-out from an idea into an established business. I won its first $1m of enterprise revenue, with systemically important banks, regulators and law firms among the clients.
I’m at my best where there’s unrealised ambition: the founders, owners and leaders are stretched, and progress depends on someone getting hands-on. I bring the experience to work out what’s needed and the judgement to decide what matters, and then I make it happen.
I’m an optimist, and I’d rather take a considered risk than sit in comfortable inertia. I like informal places where people take responsibility, question how things are done and get on with it.
If you need someone to own a difficult problem, work alongside your team and stay with it until it’s delivered, that’s what I do.
I’m Mark Johnston. I help businesses find what matters and act decisively.
How I work
I go after the real problem.
I'll say what others won't.
I stay.
I gather the data to find what really matters, which isn't always what first looks like the problem.
Politely, but I'll say it. People have told me it's the part they valued most.
I want to be in it with your team, accountable for whether it works, long after the diagnosis is done.
“He told me straight what would and wouldn’t work. If Mark offers to help, say yes.”
Dr Mick O’Connor, CEO, HAELO
“I don't believe we would have reached a successful outcome without him.”
Paul Butcher, Co-founder and CTO, English Language iTutoring
Experience you can draw on
Built a Cambridge AI business
“Mark has done the hard thing himself: taken research out of a university and turned it into a company with customers.”
Phil Clements, CEO, Finspector
Co-founded a Cambridge University AI and data spin-out, as COO and then CEO. Grew it to around 55 people and won its first $1m of annual recurring revenue through founder-led enterprise sales in systemically important banks, regulators and law firms.
Led at scale
As COO of the learning and assessment division at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, led more than 500 people delivering and supporting a £300m international portfolio used by thousands of institutions worldwide.
Led complex international organisations
As COO and Chief Security Officer of a €125m pan-European research and education network, led change and built consensus across 42 countries.
Started in telecoms as a founding engineer at European start-ups that went on to become major global players, then held senior roles at large international operators. So I know both entrepreneurial growth and running things at scale.
Built from the ground up
A board-level view
Sat on and chaired boards, held director and non-executive roles, and served as a school governor.
“I worked with Mark when he was COO. He was approachable and genuinely wanted to make a difference. He was full of ideas, but what stood out was that he looked to draw out ideas in others and empower them to run with them. He gave me the confidence, and the recognition, to know the work I was doing mattered. He was someone you wanted to do your best work for.”
Karen Rouse, Head of Operations, Cambridge University Press & Assessment
“I worked with Mark during a transformational pan-European complex network upgrade. As Programme Director, Mark was great at bringing together a collection of subject matter experts to solve the challenges faced in meeting our objective. He was always respectful of the inputs of the subject matter experts, but would also be willing to roll up his sleeves when required to keep the pace required across this virtual team. Mark has an engaging style and would always find time to kick the can with you in trying to work something through. He has a strong work ethic but a personable style which kept a degree of fun in what could be a demanding time.”
Paul Rouse, Head of Commercial, GÉANT
“Mark got stuck in immediately. He was all over the detail, yet at the same time held the broader commercial and strategic implications front of mind. He was a real voice of reason and constructive input. And in the process, he was great fun and brought real energy and humility to the team.”
Kate Wilson, former CEO of a Cambridge University spin-out