Partner Article

Personal Security Should be Higher on the Agenda

IT is standard practice for high profile public figures to consult security professionals to ensure their safety at all times. More uncommon however is a business leader placing the same importance on their personal security - at home and particularly when travelling overseas. Today Brian Painter, MD of security and risk management consultancy Discreet Help, warned CEOs across the region that in most instances their security provision is “woefully inadequate” and more must be done to keep them and their businesses safe.

Direct flights between Manchester, Boston and Los Angeles were announced in May, and as demand for long-haul flights from the North West grows so do the opportunities to conduct business in new overseas markets.

But with those international opportunities comes risk, says Brian, whose shocked daily by the lack of due diligence carried out by UK companies before conducting business in new – and potentially hostile - environments.

“An upsurge of terror attacks across the globe in recent months has brought a stark reality to our attitudes to international travel,” says Brian.

“In recent weeks we have seen horrific images from Bangkok and then there was the train attack in France plus further violence and terror across the Middle East with conflict over spilling into Northern Africa. The rest of the African continent lies in conflict, burgeoning violent crime and some of the highest kidnap and ransom rates that would make the South Americans blush!

“This can all have a direct impact on British business leaders overseas and yet their awareness of these risks is low and their provision to mitigate such risks even lower.

“We are light years behind countries like the US, where their commitment to corporate responsibility ensures that staff are properly protected during business travel. They understand that certain people within their organisation are absolutely critical to the success and continuity of their business and will invest in their safety.”

During a recent look at Apple’s Schedule 14A report filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, it was found that the company spends nearly $700,000 annually to keep CEO Tim Cook safe.

The filing notes state that Apple provides both home and personal security for Cook as his personal safety and security are of the utmost importance to Apple and its shareholders.

Brian, 37, said: “That may seem like an unnecessary expense, but when you’re the decision-maker for the world’s most valuable brand, with more than $200 billion in cash on its balance sheet, it’s a worthwhile investment.

“In fact Apple has said it deems the expense to be reasonable and necessary for the benefit of the company.

“But perhaps more importantly whilst losing a key member of staff has huge ramifications for a company like Apple, it can have an even more catastrophic impact on a smaller organisation where the MD/CEO is absolutely critical for the continuity of that business.

“I read almost daily guides as to how we should prepare for cyberattacks and protect our networks from attack, yet there is very little ever written or adequately done about physical security and the implications it can have on business.

“Being prepared takes time and investment, and unfortunately the results are only ever tangible when something does go wrong – but by then it’s too late.”

As infrequent as these acts may be they can have a cataclysmic effect. Similarly one of the biggest barriers for exporters - and new companies entering into the export market - are the physical risks whilst travelling to new markets. The country and regional intelligence and analysis of potential threats are either difficult to obtain, never proffered or woefully inadequate.

To that end Brian, who lives in Collyhurst, has recently launched Discreet Help’s Travel Risk Management Service to serve the rapidly growing number of international businesses operating out of Manchester.

Brian and his team of ex-military intelligent specialists are able to provide reports on specific risks in specific destinations to ensure businesses are aware of any potential hazards associated with their journey.

If the risks are then deemed to be significant the client can be offered a satellite-based personal tracking system, complete with SOS emergency help functions that will notify the authorities and next of kin if there’s a problem.

In some instances the team will go one step further and chaperone their client - with each chaperone being selected for their skills and experience operating in some of the toughest environments.

Brian, who himself has worked in some of the most hostile environments, either in roles in the military or in close protection, said his priorities are simple: “ensuring the business trip is a success”.

He added: “The world in which we live requires that we acknowledge who we are and what we can do about a situation if, or when, the worst happens.

“Doing this level of due diligence will markedly reduce any inherent risk as a foreigner in a strange land and will also improve the client’s experience whilst conducting business in a new environment.

“Business is booming in Manchester, with a growing amount involving overseas travel and commerce. Companies making their first forays into conducting business abroad, or branching out to new areas shouldn’t under-estimate the potential for risk and when both financial and personal interests are on the line – it’s far better to be safe than sorry.”

To date Discreet Help’s clients include Saudi Royals, Russian Oligarchs, high net worth individuals and businessmen and a number of national legal firms.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jo Craig .