Core Services

Simon is a Chartered Security Professional, he is a leading international security specialist with extensive private family and business experience managing complex situations in often challenging environments.

Simon is the founder and a senior influence at Blackstone Consultancy, he has a solid pedigree and a wealth of international experience, he embraces challenge, diversity and has an ability, to understand variable equations of risk, not focussing on one dimensional threats.

Prior to this, Simon spent several years in a senior position with Aegis Defence Services managing private and government clients internationally, his education was provided from spending 15 years in the British Army, serving on several operational deployments, including an overseas detachment with SO15-Counter Terrorist Command. He planned, operated and managed operations against terrorism and crime entities in numerous tours of duty in sensitive, high-threat environments overseas operating in both supervisory and line roles.

Personable and forthright, Simon is holds the industry accolade of ‘Chartered’ accreditation and is an advocate of professional development and works as a mentor enabling others. He was awarded with the ‘Freedom of the City of London’ at a ceremony in October 2015. Simon holds enhanced DBS clearance.

Angie brings a compelling combination of strategic leadership, exceptional communication, influencing and relationship building skills and deep operational experience within the security
sector.

Leaving the police service in 2019, Angie served as a senior leader on investigative, protection and intelligence commands, with her final rank being Detective Superintendent. Her role within Royalty and Specialist Protection was as a strategic protection commander and senior leader of protective security teams operating globally. She managed quality assurance, senior stakeholder engagement and was responsible for the successful delivery of many large events, security investigations and security projects.

As well as extensive leadership and security experience throughout her 30-year career, Angie has led strategic cultural change and championed diversity and professional standards as a core element of all security services. She is a qualified Senior Investigating Officer (SIO), Strategic Firearms Commander, Strategic Protection Commander, Silver Public Order Commander, Experienced Crisis response and Post Incident Manager and RIPA Surveillance Authorising Officer (AO).

Angie is an active member of the Security Institute Validation Board, member of the Security Institute and a chartered fellow of the Chartered Management Institute. She mentors widely across policing and the security sectors and is an active advocate for Diversity and Inclusion.

Angie holds advanced DBS clearance.

Chris is the Head of Risk with extensive experience of managing multiple and simultaneous global security, risk and intelligence projects for high profile clients and organisations in the financial, legal, sporting and technology industries. Formerly the Head of Operations at a London based Risk Management Consultancy, his expertise is in creating strategy and converting objectives into solid and sustainable deliverables, as well as strong negotiation and influencing skills which are used to build relationships across organisational boundaries.

Chris focusses on Investigation and Intelligence matters as well as change management, multiple project management, information security, electronic counter-measures, physical and property security, technical surveillance and executive protection.

Prior to this Chris served in HM Forces for 23 years leading investigations and intelligence operations around the world in complex and often prohibitive environments. He is the company thought leader in The Security Institute.

John joined Blackstone Consultancy after serving 30 years in the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), with most of his time spent in Counter Terrorism (CT) and Protection roles, achieving the rank of Chief Superintendent.

As head of CT Operations at London’s Heathrow and City airports, he specialised in aviation and border security. As a nationally accredited Counter Terrorism Security Coordinator (CTSecCo) he was seconded through the Department of Transport into Africa and the Middle East to protect UK assets overseas.

John is a qualified Strategic Protection Commander (SPC) and Strategic Firearms Commander (SFC). He has lead the Armed residential and Close Protection portfolios for the Met Police Royalty and Specialist Protection command within the UK and internationally.

Regarded as one of the countries leading experts on the protection of people, places and events, he worked for many years within the Office of Security and Counter Terrorism (OSCT) at the Home Office, advising Ministers on how to assess highly sensitive intelligence from UK and International security partners, leading to the development of new overt and covert protection tactics.

With the highest UK vetting level, DV (Strap), he lead the Governments personal protection response to the attacks in Salisbury and Amesbury. Taking the policy lead for protecting those at risk from Hostile State Activity (HSA) and authoring new National Security Risk Assessments with the Cabinet Office. He has also worked within the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection community, advising on MP’s security, the security of Parliament and International Embassies and Missions based within the UK.

John combines a wealth of professional experience with a discreet and diplomatic approach to clients requirements. He is a highly regarded and influential leader with excellent communication skills, tactful yet robust.

Neil is a Chartered Security Professional (CSyP) and Member of the Security Institute (MSyI). He also has a MSc in Police Leadership and Management.

Neil joined Blackstone Consultancy from the Metropolitan Police Service. During his time there he undertook many operational and strategic roles befitting his DV Strap vetting status. His last posting where held the rank of Superintendent, was within Royalty and Specialist Protection (RaSP). There he led both the Armed Residential policing operation for the Royal Palaces and then as the lead for the Ministerial and Royalty Close Protection teams globally. Subsequently Neil brings extensive experience of planning, delivering and leading on overt and covert security operations both in the UK and overseas to both high profile clients and those requiring a discreet profile.

Neil is a qualified Strategic Protection Commander (SPC), Strategic Firearms Commander (SFC) and a Counter Terrorism Security co-ordinator (CTSecCo). As a CTSecCo Neil delivered effective protection operations across a wide spectrum of environments such as large-scale sporting and public events, the protection of buildings and persons to the most discreet of customer requirements. Those same skills Neil brings to the Blackstone stable.

Before service in the MPS Neil was in the Royal Navy Submarine Service based in Faslane.

Rufus has recently joined Blackstone Consultancy as an operations analyst. He gained a BA in Politics from the University of Northumbria has and has worked in various consumer businesses. He currently serves as a reservist in a British Army Infantry Unit based in London and was recently mobilised as part of Op Rescript in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. He served as a junior commander helping to run mobile testing sites around London.

Rufus is a keen sailor, goes to boxing training and has travelled across the Arctic on a dog sled. He has a keen interest in Geopolitics and Current Affairs.

Lee brings a combination of exceptional communication skills, problem solving, leadership and multi stakeholder engagement experience, operating at a high standard as well as extensive operational experience of planning and delivering security and protection, including contingency planning.

Lee served in the police service for 31 years, during which time he served as an operational team leader and training manager within the forces’ Specialist Firearms Command as well as being a Personal Protection officer to one of the most senior members of the Royal Family whilst serving with Royalty and Specialist Protection Command (RaSP).

Lee has extensive experience of managing multiple and simultaneous global protective security projects around high profile individuals. He has a natural ability to understand a client’s wishes and adapt the security plan to ensure the overall security solution delivers on safety and  the wider client requirements.

He is extremely thorough in his planning and attention to detail and always has an eye on contingency planning and problem solving with a view to providing longer term solutions. He has a strong background in systems and processes which he sees as the core backbone of strong security.

During his service on RaSP Lee was responsible for the multi layered protective security solutions which kept members of the British Royal family safe across the world. This ranged from close personal protection to the management of vast estate security processes which kept individuals safe from various external risks. He was focused on the quality assurance and checks and balances that were required on a daily basis to maintain effective security, holding people to account and implementing improvements were necessary.

Lee is an experienced leader and manager of teams, and a qualified National Firearms Instructor, Close Protection trainer, Advanced driver including evasive and protection driving, Operational Firearms Commander, Operational Tactical adviser, as well as having extensive stakeholder engagement experience.

During his police service, Lee was commended and decorated with various awards  in relation to his operational performance as well his security planning and delivery. Since leaving the Police, Lee has been immersed in providing security consultation and delivering security solutions for several high profile individuals. He maintains currency of knowledge through a structured professional development programme and recognises the ideal solution for individuals is always bespoke and will involve a blend of physical, technology and personnel deterrents.

Lee is married with two teenage children (17 and 14) and relaxes by keeping fit, (cycling, running, weight training), gardening, walking the dog, reading and listening to music.

Eva is fulfilling an Internship at Blackstone Consultancy, conducting research and writing reports for clients, providing a thorough analysis of both personal and physical security.

In July 2019, Eva graduated from the University of Portsmouth, gaining a degree in Geography. Her strong interest in geopolitical studies led her to write her dissertation on the perceptions of terrorism, whereby she interviewed negotiators and firearms officers of the London Metropolitan Police Service, and members of the general public.

She has been accepted into the University of Westminster to study a masters in International Relations and Security, starting in January 2021.

Rob Bates holds the title of the Director of Protective Services and is responsible for the management of all Close Protection teams both in the UK and overseas and the multiple Residential Security teams Blackstone Consultancy has in and around London.

Rob has worked within the security industry for over 12 years and has a wealth of experience in providing Close Protection, Residential Security and Surveillance for High Net Worth clients, Middle Eastern Royalty, Corporate Executives and A-List Celebrities.

Before joining the team Rob spent several years attached to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) working in British Embassies and Consulates around the world, including Moscow, Hong Kong, Beijing, Riyadh and Cairo. Whilst working with the FCO, Rob provided protection for Ambassadors and Diplomats.

Prior to his security career, Rob served in the British Army for several years and took part in operational tours with the United Nations and NATO. Rob possesses a mature situational awareness along with the ability to quickly adapt to changing conditions and well as exhibiting great calm even when under pressure. The experiences gained over his lengthy career have given him a flexible approach to producing positive results even in the most adverse and challenging environments.

Blackstone Consultancy have worked with the team at You Digital for their creative input and business acumen.

You Digital are a passionate creative, brand & marketing agency, based in the glorious New Forest, Hampshire and they refuse refuse to accept the adage that bigger is better. They inspire and work alongside both business start-ups and those who have been around the block a few times.

You Digital have been working alongside Blackstone Consultancy for the last 5 years, forming an ironclad partnership and commitment to each other.

Blackstone Consultancy, a leading London-based security and intelligence consultancy has been featured in the 2020 Spear’s 500 list of top recommended organisations. Billed as the ‘indispensable guide to the top private client advisers, wealth managers, lawyers and service providers for high net worth individuals’, the annual Spear’s 500 guide is held in high regard internationally.

The 2020 edition was launched in earlier November at the Spear’s Wealth Management Awards ceremony at The Dorchester; this is the fourth year running, the business has been featured.

Brigadier (Retired) Dave Neal is our Strategic Security Advisor (SSA) bringing a lifetime of military and police experience to the role. Leaving the Army in 2019, Dave’s final appointment was the Provost Marshal of the Army. As well as extensive investigative and security experience through a 26-year career, since 2015 Dave has sat on the National Police Chiefs’ Council; he is qualified Senior Investigating Officer (SIO), Gold Public Order Commander and RIPA Level 2 Authorising Officer. Dave is a founding member of the Protective Services Route Panel of the Institute for Apprentices and Technical Education. As well as covering Police, Fire, Military and Prisons; the Panel assures standards and qualifications across the Security Industry. Dave works as an Ambassador for the Institute, helping to engage employers, schools, students and others in the opportunities that apprenticeships can provide.

Dave’s principal focus is looking ‘up and out,’ building on the work of a Security Survey or Security Needs Assessment and incorporating security solutions into a client’s broader business strategy. He has particular expertise in providing advice and solutions for historic properties and estates, including advice on Hostile Vehicle Measures (HVM) and the project management of contractors to deliver technical security solutions.

Dave has Bachelors and Masters degrees and he is a Member of the Security Institute (MSyI) holding Chartered Security Professional (CSyP) status as well as Certified Protection Professional (CPP) with the American Society of Industrial Security (ASIS) and Chartered Manager (CMgr) status with the Chartered Management Institute. He is a non-magistrate member of the Ministry of Justice’s Advisory Committee, interviewing and advising on the selection of the magistrates for London. He mentors widely across the Civil Service Fast Stream and is an active advocate for Diversity and Inclusion.

Ashley Williams holds the title Operations Manager and is responsible for the management of residential security teams within The Blackstone Consultancy portfolio.

Ashley has worked within the security industry in various sectors for over 24 years. A dynamic and highly experienced security professional with a proven track record in a range of environments including close protection for HNWI’s, residential security, aviation, “high end” retail and investigations.

Prior to his security career, Ashley served in the British Army undertaking a range of roles in The UK, mainland Europe, The Middle East and North America.

Ashley has the ability to achieve results in a pressurised field, remaining calm and motivated at all times demonstrating high levels of vigilance, observation and confidentiality.

“Veteran Owned UK is the UK’s largest online business directory for Veteran Owned Businesses.
Founded by a former Royal Engineer to help support Veteran Owned Businesses and showcase the huge variety of business types run by veterans in the UK.”
http://www.veteran-owned.uk/

The Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) recognise and reward companies and individuals across the security sector. The OSPAs are designed to be both independent and inclusive, providing an opportunity for outstanding performers, whether buyers or suppliers, to be recognised and their success to be celebrated.

Blackstone consultancy have retained Jelly Rock for their media and strategic PR advise since 2017.

Jelly Rock PR are experts in integrated campaigns and will ensure your communications strategy works seamlessly with your key messaging, marketing campaign, website, social media, advertising and other promotional elements.

Jelly Rock PR is small but perfectly formed. They’re not an agency, they’re a collective, which means they think a lot leaner than agencies and you don’t pay for expensive account management or posh offices, offering the best value for your marketing budget.

Blackstone consultancy are members of the Battered black book community.

The Battered Black Book team includes dedicated experts in travel, property, finance, health & wellbeing, hospitality & events, shopping & gifts and more – each one combining their industry knowledge with a commitment to find the best suppliers and guarantee exceptional results, whatever your challenge.

Battered Black Book is exclusively available to the management and support teams of high net worth private clients. They rely on Battered Black Book to find outstanding contacts and services that meet the high standards their employers demand.

Blackstone Consultancy holds a live Dun & Bradstreet D‑U‑N‑S Number which is a unique nine-digit identifier for businesses. D‑U‑N‑S Numbers are often referenced by lenders and potential business partners to help predict the reliability and/or financial stability of the company in question. D‑U‑N‑S, which stands for data universal numbering system, is used to maintain up-to-date and timely information on more than 300 million global businesses.

The D‑U‑N‑S Number also enables the identification of relationships between corporate entities (hierarchies and linkages), another key element of Live Business Identity and commercial risk assessment practices. The D‑U‑N‑S Number has been likened to a Social Security Number for businesses. Although it is not issued by the government, it can be used similarly.

Blackstone Consultancy is a member of the world association of detectives.

With origins dating back to 1921, W.A.D. is the longest established and largest association of its kind in the world.

The World Association of Detectives was formed as a joint venture by the combined membership of the World Association of Detectives and the International Secret Service Association for the following purposes:

To promote and maintain the highest ethical practices in the profession of private investigator or security service;
To select for membership only those individuals whose personal and professional backgrounds and business affiliations have strictly observed the precepts of truth, accuracy and prudence;
To eliminate unreliable, incompetent and irresponsible members of the profession;
To foster and perpetuate a spirit of cooperation among its members and with all those engaged in law enforcement; and
To further and establish a mutual feeling of trust, goodwill and friendship among agencies throughout the world.

Members of the team hold the coveted titles of having the ‘Freedom of the City of London’ and are ‘Liveryman of the City’.

The Livery Companies of the City of London can trace unbroken descent from medieval Trade Guilds. The term ‘Guild’ is said to derive from the Saxon word ‘Gild’, a payment, since members paid towards the cost of fellowship.

The term ‘livery’ covers the distinctive clothing and badges, the symbols of membership. The Guilds over the centuries became known as livery companies, and it is still the custom to wear ceremonial dress on official occasions.

Guilds were crafts or trade societies. They protected consumers and employers against incompetence or fraud by training sufficient apprentices to provide an adequate supply of skilled craftsmen selling goods of true quality and weight. They helped workers by preventing unlimited competition and ensuring decent wages and conditions. They searched out inferior work and punished the offenders. They settled trade and domestic disputes by arbitration, while their halls served as centres for meeting and recreation. Members paid contributions, as to a benefit society, then received relief when ill, infirm or old, and had their burial expenses paid.

Blackstone Consultancy hold the ISO9001 accreditation and are auditeded annual on their Quality Management systems.

ISO 9001 is the title of an ISO standard that outlines the requirements an organization must maintain in its quality system for certification to ISO 9001. There are several different documents in the ISO 9000 family of standards, but ISO 9001 is the only standard in the 9000 series that requires certification. The current version is ISO 9001:2015 (thus the :2015).

The standard can help companies meet their customers’ requirements for their product/service while fulfilling any regulatory requirements. Typically an entire organization will seek certification, but the scope of the QMS can be tailored to improve performance at a particular facility or department.

Blackstone Consultancy are silver holders and supporters of the Armed Forces Covenant.

To those who proudly protect our nation, who do so with honour, courage, and commitment, the Armed Forces Covenant is the nation’s commitment to you.

It is a pledge that together we acknowledge and understand that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they serve with their lives.

Blackstone Consultancy advocates and supports the use of Gardaworld’s Crisis 24 platform. the Crisis24 global portal delivers critical security information in one place. It allows travellers and organizations to get vetted news alerts and security reports by country. Blackstone Consultancy and Gardaworld have been in a team agreement co-operating across EMEA since 2016.

Blackstone Consultancy are Corporate Sponsors and supporters of the Security Institute.

The Security Institute is a United Kingdom based professional body for security professionals.

Membership of the Institute is open to security professionals, with other individuals with an interest in security being able to become affiliated. Based on validation of experience, training, qualifications and other contributions, applicants are given one of five grades of membership. Associates (ASyI), Members (MSyI) and Fellows (FSyI) are entitled to use post-nominals indicating their level of membership in the Institute. There is a separate category for student members.

Craig Etherton is a Project Lead within Blackstone Consultancy. Craig has worked in the security industry for 8 years since 2010 and is an experienced Project Lead, Production Security Manager & Close Protection Operative within Blackstone Consultancy. He is a former Royal Military Policeman and has also completed the RMP Close Protection Course and completed multiple Close Protection tours.
Prior to joining Blackstone Consultancy, Craig served in the British Army for 10 years where he took part in various operational tours in hostile environments. Upon leaving the British Army, Craig spent several years attached to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) working across the Middle East. Whilst working with the FCO, Craig provided protection for Ambassadors, Diplomats, Heads of Missions, Members of Parliament and multiple Tier 1 VVIP’s.
Craig lives with his partner Kerry in Reading. He has a keen interest in keeping fit, sports and especially enjoys running. Craig also enjoys travelling and experiencing new cultures and cities.

Mike holds the title of Project lead and is responsible for multiple residential security teams and is also employed as the Physical Security and Risk advisor on all residential and commercial properties within the U.K and abroad.

In 1995 Mike joined the HM Forces and deployed on 6 operational tours which include: Bosnia, Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Iraq and a 3 – year tour of Northern Ireland. Mike decided to leave the Military in 2011 to discover new opportunities within the private sector and deployed to Afghanistan to support the Foreign Common Wealth offices (FCO) in Kabul and Helmand. His duties included the protection of UK and Foreign Parliament ministers, Aid agencies, Australian Federal Police and high-profile media companies. In 2015 Mike returned to the U.K to take up a position of a Surveillance Officer and provided specialist surveillance, intelligence for a global surveillance company.

During his time with Blackstone Consultancy Mike has conducted various tasks including Close protection, Surveillance, project lead/trainer in Kenya, security/estates manager and conducted a vast amount of Security and Risk Assessments for various high-profile clients and commercial properties.

A highly motivated, dedicated and experienced Close Protection Operator, Matt is a former Senior Non-Commissioned Officer having previously served an exemplary 15 year career in the Royal Air Force Regiment.

Early in 2014, Matt was offered a position at the British Embassy in Baghdad as a security contractor on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office contract. In this role he was a member of a 6-man armed Close Protection team, rotating through various positions including team leader, medic, and PPO/BG to numerous Ambassadors, Members of Parliament, diplomats and strategic military personnel. He planned and conducted regular vehicle moves in Baghdad and other hostile districts outside the city.

Matt possesses an impressive and verifiable track record of leading and executing armed/unarmed Close Protection tasks with steadfast professionalism. He is always proactive, ready to take the initiative and acutely sensitive to the security threat. Matt lives in Stamford, Lincolnshire and is married with two young children. He enjoys skiing, mountain biking and is an all-round fitness enthusiast.

Founded in 1955, ASIS International is a global community of security practitioners, each of whom has a role in the protection of assets – people, property, and/or information.

ASIS members represent virtually every industry in the public and private sectors, and organizations of all sizes. From entry-level managers to CSOs to CEOs, from security veterans to consultants and those transitioning from law enforcement or the military, the ASIS community is global and diverse.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO; stylised as ico.) in the United Kingdom, is a non-departmental public body which reports directly to Parliament and is sponsored by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

It is the independent regulatory office (national data protection authority) dealing with the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 across the UK; and the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and, to a limited extent, in Scotland.

Gary is a former Metropolitan Police Special Branch Officer who served for 25 years within the Police Service. Prior to this he served in the British Army for 5 years. Gary has a Protection, Surveillance and Intelligence background.
Within the close protection sphere, he protected British Prime Ministers, Senior Cabinet Ministers and numerous visiting Heads of State and Foreign Ministers to the U.K. He has deployed to a number of hostile environments, including Afghanistan and Iraq to protect Senior British Government officials. He has deployed as both the accompanying and advance officer and, has managed, planned and coordinated both individual and high profile public events both within the UK and throughout the world.
Since leaving the service in March 2015, Gary has protected a High Net Worth individual in both the USA and the UK. He has provided Executive Protection to various corporate clients and visiting foreign royalty within the U.K. Gary has a wealth of experience and knowledge, this gives him a clear understanding and insight into the issues and requirements of managing the protection and safety of individuals from the world of business and the private sector.
Gary was an Instructor on the National Bodyguard Course whilst in the Police Service. He has a Masters Degree in Leadership and Management from Buckinghamshire University and is member of the Security Institute.