Case Studies:

Security Risk Management Training 

G4S Specialist Training Delivering Success in Challenging Environments

Recent events have proven that even when governments and companies do everything in their power to protect people and assets, terrorism and serious organised crime remains a growing threat. To assist companies to manage their risk and counter threat, G4S Specialist Training has developed an innovative approach to provide a holistic security risk management service.  Responding to our clients’ needs for critical changes to their security risk management processes, our key differentiator is our ability to provide added value through our collaborative approach. 


How does this work? Firstly, our training concept provides a single point of delivery that has all the inputs necessary to counter the full spectrum of security risks that companies face in a challenging environment. Our essential knowledge resource is drawn from our team of personnel with distinguished careers in UK Special Forces, intelligence, police services and corporate security. Working with UK accrediting bodies to deliver security-related qualifications, we have successfully demonstrated a proven ability to offer career-pathway CPD programmes to strengthen our clients’ global security posture. The depth and breadth of our experienced professionals translates into practical how-to guidance on managing the risk of critical security vulnerabilities and threats. 
Secondly, our International Training Academy also utilizes a network of global training centres that provide in-country resources and a thorough understanding of the operating environment within complex national cultural and political contexts. The third key component of our approach is the added value of providing risk intelligence and risk consultancy. This includes proof of concept through technical design, physical architecture installation and commission of leading integrated security solutions to protect a company’s assets.

At its simplest, Security Risk Management involves protecting assets by identifying risk and by applying resources to mitigate those risks. A robust training strategy is core to the protection of a company’s assets, never more so than in the domain of Security Risk Management.  Recent events have demonstrated the requirement for a security capability to include a pro-active approach and competency to make rapid decisions and take immediate actions in the face of high-risk situations. We believe this is the cornerstone of the Security Risk Management process.

Personal Profile

I joined the Army in 1984 and was with the Parachute Regiment for 7 years. In 1992, having passed selection I moved into the Special Air Service specialising as a medic. Throughout the next 20 years my career grew as an Instructor, taking over a troop, then onto Chief Instructor through Logistics and finally retiring May 2011 as Regiment Sergeant Major.

Having reached the pinnacle of excellence in my military career, retirement was a direction I did not face lightly. Every day I had a different experience and had travelled all over the world – lured by high wages in a security industry, most are expected to transition to the ‘circuit’ or ‘consultancy’ – I chose to work with G4S Risk Management, heading up their Specialist Training Academy.

Adapting to civilian life was step one and the second was transitioning to a corporate environment – two separate challenges that for any new service leaver should be carefully considered. Capability gaps are bigger in the commercial environment surrounding hostile or threatening environments, corporate management lacks the structure and ‘order’ that came with the military and different people management skills need to be learned.

The great opportunity that G4S presents to all Service Leavers is the familiar environments that working for a global organisation can offer. Particularly Close Protection, Maritime and Guarding where your colleagues are usually ex military too, the familiar ethos and working disciplines are maintained and excellence is expected. The professionally delivered training offered is underpinned by the experience of my Instructors (most being ex special forces) and guarantees a true life reflection of what working in a corporate world is like.

For anyone considering their transition into the security corporate market place I would ask them to think about what they truly want to do - lured by high pay is not enough, but if a role that takes the best of the military ethos and couples it with a good lifestyle balance, a career with progression - then pick your Security organisation wisely - G4S has offered me the best the commercial world has to offer.