The Convergence of Safety, Security & Risk Management Capability

Safety, Security & Risk Management can no longer be siloed, with “traditional” divisions between physical, cyber / IT & communications, intelligence, technology, and logistics. These disciplines must be organised together to enhance and support each other’s capabilities in order to secure and safeguard your personnel, physical, and digital assets. Security convergence trends occurring in the marketplace also demand converged resourcing capabilities. In a global environment increasingly characterised by regulation, often Read more…

Ensure Corporate Survival: Be Conscious of the Potential Threats Around You

Andy Thompson speaks with Paul Barker, founder of Vigilance Consulting and a certified operational resilience and risk professional with more than 20 years leadership experience across education, leisure, hospitality and predominantly financial services sectors, including capital markets, private equity, banking, asset management & treasury sectors. He specialises in providing operational and cyber resilience, risk, security and continuity consultancy and training services. How did you come to launch Vigilance Consulting? Vigilance Read more…

Learning How to Counter Violent Extremism in Africa, and Globally

Andy Thompson speaks with David Otto, a highly experienced independent global Counter Terrorism, Security and Organized Crime Consultant / COIN Researcher at Stepped In Step Out (SISO) UK LTD and Geneva Centre for Security and Strategic Studies (GCASS). A subject matter expert consultant for governments and NGOs including the UN, NATO, Interpol, US DoD, and a selected trainer on AT/CT & Organized Crime solution strategies for the Anti-Terrorism Accreditation Board Read more…

Knowledge Breeds Resilience: Training for Challenging Locations

Andy Thompson speaks with Richard Pendry, owner of Pendry Risk Management, a consultancy in the field of Risk Management, Organisational Resilience, and Counterterrorism for NGOs, the United Nations, commercial companies, and government organisations. What is the origin of Pendry Risk Management? I have been in the security industry since 2005. It was not something I aimed for. Like a lot of guys, I just fell into it. I had a Read more…

Training for Trauma: How the Theatre Brings the Real World to Life

Andy Thompson speaks with Victoria Edgerton, owner of For Real UK, who use dramatic arts as a platform to deliver highly immersive training and experiences in Corporate Resilience and Emergency Planning exercises – helping the Emergency Services, including Police, Ambulance Service including HART Teams, Fire & Rescue Service, Mountain and Lowland Rescue organisations, and HM Forces personnel, bring training to life. How did For Real UK come into being? It Read more…

Building the Bridge Between Security and Human Rights

Andy Thompson talks with Chris Goodwin-Hudson, Founding Partner and Director of Watchman, about training in Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights born from extensive international experience of working in highly challenging environments alongside large multinational projects that impact on local community’s wellbeing and way of life. How do you characterize Watchman? Watchman’s strapline is “Where security meets social responsibility”, and our specific commitment is to act as bridge between Read more…

Are You Prepared to be a Long Logistical Distance from Medical Support?

Andy Thompson talks with James Ross, Co-Founder and Director of Nomad Risk, who provide risk management strategies for organisations working in remote, austere, and extreme environments across the globe, including Media and TV Production companies. What is the backstory of Nomad Risk? My business partner, Trevor Smith, and I met in South Africa. I was working as a security consultant for a group of mining companies based out of Cape Read more…

Digital Innovation Meets the Growing Demand for Mental Health Training

Andy Thompson speaks with Jason Smith, Director at zero78training Ltd, providing professional accredited mental health training. Jason is a freelance trainer and consultant, highly experienced in implementing the changes required to create a physically and psychologically safe environment for employees. What is the background to zero78training Ltd? As the Director and Lead Trainer I have been delivering this training for nearly 8 years. I started delivering mental health training in Read more…

Pioneering Hostile Environment & First Aid Training with a “Digital First” Format

Andy Thompson talks with Chris Lawton, Founder of Silk Road Training, who provide online, 360 degree and physically immersive courses that make life-saving hostile environment skills accessible to all. Training through Virtual Reality Technology What was the genesis of Silk Road Training? Grant Wootton, my co-founder, and I have been delivering training, amongst other functions, for several years. One of the things that had always bothered me personally was that Read more…

Hiring Safety, Security & Risk Management Capability at Scale

The Safety, Security & Risk Management sector is largely characterised by a “contingent workforce”: diverse, niche expertise, often sourced and mobilised quickly for short term projects and contracts. Risk Analysts – Close Protection Officers – Paramedics – Crisis & Disaster Management Consultants – EOD/C-IED Search – Cyber Security Experts – Hostile Environment Training Instructors – Security Directors – Health & Safety Consultants – Canine Handlers – Protective Security Specialists – Read more…