TV drama one day, cyber security the next: Matthew Bensley’s journey from The Crown to LeftBrain

Before joining LeftBrain as an Information Security Analyst, Matthew Bensley spent 15 years working on major UK TV productions, including Netflix’s The Crown.

His background in film taught him how to solve problems under pressure, work closely with creative teams, and keep fast-moving projects on track. Today, he applies that same mindset and skillset to cyber security, helping tech scaleups and creative businesses stay secure and compliant as they grow.

We sat down with Matthew to talk about his career journey, how his creative background helps in a technical world, and what advice he would give to anyone thinking about a career switch.

Q: So, Matthew, tell us a little about your previous career. Where did it all start?

At the very beginning, I started doing work experience on Emmerdale in Leeds, then moved on to Coronation Street. After that I got offered some work in London and started working on period dramas. I joined The Crown in series one and stayed on for three seasons. I started out as a runner and ended up as a floor Second Assistant Director.

Q: What made you decide to leave the film industry?

It just wasn’t working with family life. Film and TV were really exciting and I got to travel and work on big productions, but it completely took over my life. When I had kids everything changed. That lifestyle wasn’t important to me anymore.

Q: How did you figure out what to do next?

I started thinking about what the future would look like. What industries were growing, where the skills shortages were, and where I could make a difference. Cyber security stood out straight away. It felt like something I could really get into.

Q: How did you break into cyber security?

I found a course called CapsLock. It was the same bootcamp Lucas Jansen here at LeftBrain had done. I applied and got a funded place. It was four months full time and covered 28 different areas of cyber security. It was fast-paced, a lot to take in, but it was the best learning experience I’ve ever had.

Q: And how did that lead you to LeftBrain?

CapsLock are well connected with people in the industry. They do a lot to build awareness and promote careers in cyber. Through them I got in touch with a recruiter who introduced me to LeftBrain. It all happened quite naturally after that.

Q: What does your role involve now?

I’m an Information Security Analyst. I help businesses get certified for ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials, implement GRC platforms, and improve their security posture. I also hold Security+, CISMP, and ISO 27001 Foundation certifications, and am committed to making cyber security clear, practical and achievable for fast-moving teams.

Q: Would you say your background in TV helped you in this role?

Definitely. Working in TV meant being on top of every detail. There was no room for delay. It trained me to solve problems quickly and work well with people under pressure. Now, I take that same mindset into cyber security.

I also spent years working with producers, designers and creative teams, so I understand how creative people think. A lot of our clients at LeftBrain are in creative or fast-paced industries. That makes it easier to relate to their challenges and speak their language.

Q: What do you enjoy most about working at LeftBrain?

Cyber security can seem complicated and overwhelming at first. I like helping people simplify it. Turning something that feels daunting into clear, practical steps is really satisfying. I enjoy giving advice that works in the real world.

Q: Do you approach things differently from the typical tech person?

I’d say so. In film, it was my job to make sure nothing slowed down. It was all about momentum. I’ve had to adapt a bit because I don’t want to be a taskmaster with clients or colleagues, but I still bring that drive to move things forward. I like to get people from A to B quickly and clearly.

Q: Any advice for someone thinking about switching into cyber security?

Buy a Security+ book and start doing practice exams. Make a list of the areas you know nothing about and start researching. YouTube is full of great content, so I’d recommend watching videos there too. Get YouTube Premium to skip the ads, it’s worth it. And if you can, apply for something like CapsLock. It really helped me.

Q: From your experience, why do you think LeftBrain is a good fit for startups and scaleups?

We work in a really modern way. Security is no longer about protecting a physical office network. It’s about protecting individuals and their devices, wherever they are. That makes remote and hybrid working far easier without compromising on security. We take that seriously and make it work in a way that fits the way businesses operate today.

‍