Nick Payne
Biography
Nick Payne joined the CNPA Board as an Independent Member in July 2025. He has worked in a variety of senior finance, commercial, and operational roles across Government, policing, and the private sector.
Nick is a qualified accountant of more than 30 years, being a fellow of both the Chartered Association of Certified Accounts (FCCA) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (FCMA), and a qualified commercial professional, being a member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (MCIPS) for 15 years.
Since November 2022, Nick has been working as the Chief Financial Officer for the Construction Industry Training Board. In addition, he has corporate responsibility for sustainability, business continuity, and health and safety.
Nick’s most recent roles have included serving as the Chief Operating Officer for the Northern Ireland Office, the Finance Operations, and Digital Director at the Government Legal Department, and the Director of Commercial Scrutiny and Industrial Policy at the Ministry of Defence.
Nick currently sits on the East of England Board for the King’s Business in the Community initiative.
He has previously served as an Independent Member of the Audit and Risk Committees of Ofqual and UK Trade & Investments and also sat on the External Governance Board of the National Cyber Security Centre.
Nick has a first-class BSc (Hons) degree in Technology, an MBA, and diplomas in Design & Innovation, and Systems Practice. He also graduated from the Royal College of Defence Studies in 2012.