Denis Ontiveros Merlo

Summary

Leading the continuous digital transformation of Enterprise Information Security and Compliance. I'm a possibilist who thrives on solving complex, intractable problems that lead to meaningful change. Lifelong learner, aspiring social ecologist, and believer in human-first platforms.

Experience

VP Enterprise Platforms – bp

Jan 2023 – Present · London (Hybrid)

Building Platform Products for the Enterprise to grow @ scale.

VP Developer & Identity Platforms – bp

Jan 2021 – Dec 2022 · London

CITSO – Security Platforms & InfoSec Chapter Head – bp

Jun 2018 – Jan 2021 · UK

CISO, Applications & Infrastructure – bp

Jan 2016 – Jun 2018 · UK

Enterprise Systems CISO – bp

Oct 2013 – Dec 2015 · London

Global CISO – D.E MASTER BLENDERS 1753

Jun 2012 – Sep 2013 · Barcelona

VP Global InfoSec & Compliance Officer – Sara Lee

Aug 2004 – Jun 2012

Manager IT Audit – KPMG

Jan 1999 – Jul 2004 · Barcelona, London, Sydney

Intern – Knowledge Mgmt – KPMG Berlin

Feb 1998 – Jul 1998

Intern – Pension Market Study – Winterthur

Nov 1996 – Jun 1997

IT Manager – Victor Ship Chandlers

Feb 1991 – Mar 1992

Paperboy – Cape Argus

Jan 1985 – Dec 1986 · Cape Town

Education

U. País Vasco – Bachelors in Business (1995–1998)
UOC – Bachelor's in Business Admin (2020–2023)
La Salle Open University – MBA (2015–2020)
UOC – IT Engineering (2003–2020)
IMD – Executive Leadership (2006)
UOC – Cisco Networking PGDip (2002–2003)
UPC – Masters in E-Business (2000–2001)
Berlin School of Econ & Law – BA Business IT (1997–1998)
San José Urdaneta – COU (1993–1994)
The Settlers High School (1986–1990)
Parow North Primary (1979–1985)

Licenses & Certifications

Over 50 certifications across privacy, identity, security, AI/ML, cloud, and data. Highlights include:

FCIIS – Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Information Security
CIPP/E, CIPM, CIPT – IAPP
CISM, CISA – ISACA
Google Cloud, AWS Architect & Practitioner
Machine Learning – Stanford, DeepLearning.AI
Azure Security & Compliance – Microsoft
Python Data Structures – University of Michigan
Privacy Engineering – Data Protocol

Credential IDs and full cert list available on request or LinkedIn.

Volunteering

ISACA Barcelona Chapter

Volunteer Professor – CISA & CISM (2010–2013)

Taught and mentored working professionals pursuing CISA and CISM certifications. Helping build the next generation of security leaders.

IAPP Privacy Engineering Section

Advisory Board Member (2024–Present)

Supporting strategic development of programming and thought leadership in privacy engineering alongside global academic and industry peers.