Profile
I am actively searching for a snr executive position in the International or expatriate community, using the skills competencies and experience that I have acquired over more than 25 years in the expatriate working environment.
Brief History:
I am a 51-year-old internationally based and experienced executive consultant, with extensive and sustained experience in various domains and industries including industrial security on cross border multinational platforms.
My experience ranges from providing project security management and business establishment consultancy services, to major construction, oil, gas, mining and petrol exploration / exploitation projects, in West and North Africa.
I have provided high profile multi-disciplinary consultancy services and business management across West and West Central Africa and have an in depth understanding of the specific work ethic and cultural implication which is the expatriate employment domain in the security and operations sectors.
I am married, and have lived for +25 years in the South of France. I speak/read/write fluent French and speak some Arabic that gets better with use.
Work Experience
Nov 2012 – Ongoing
Project Operations Support Manager
Sundance Resources / CamIron SA/ CongoIron SA
The client took my below noted position as a sub-contractor and made me direct hire status, with added operational responsibility, inclusive of due diligence/corporate governance/ HSECS/ Logistics/Facilities management, Medical-evacuation/extraction, Asset protection /Security & Gov’t/law enforcement interface -liaison.
The specific domain of this company is Iron Ore Mining in distant and potentially hostile locations (deep jungle), incorporating 660 + km of rail line construction and a deep water port.
Included in this specific remit is the preparation and ongoing management of deep jungle exploratory projects , the fostering of and developing relationships with Cameroonian law enforcement agencies both locally in YND and Douala and to maintain relations with military and law enforcement units closer to our areas operations .
My position also entails the establishment and ongoing operating budget management of + 15m $pa covering multiple fields applicable to this specific industry. I am also currently responsible for the offset management of a 300man base camp.
Jan2011 – Nov 2012
Mine Site Operations Support Manager / –Security/Medical /Logistics
Sundance Resources pty/Cam Iron/Congo Iron SA/ Dynamic pty, Cameroon.
In this position I was employed as a consultant providing guidance and oversight on operational issues, including security, HSECS, logistics, facilities management, medical-evacuation/extraction asset protection and Gov’t/law enforcement interface -liaison. The specific domain of this company was/is mining in distant and hostile locations (deep jungle).
Dec 2007 – Feb 2011
Regional Director/ Country Manager & Managing Director, Benin & Togo
Inter-Con Security Systems of Benin & Togo
Project Manager -United States Embassies of Benin & Togo
Oversight Mgmt for Ivory Coast (Abidjan)
Inter-Con Security Systems was the 2nd largest security service provider in Africa, covering Guinea, Liberia, Tunisia, Ghana, Togo & Benin, and the inclusion of the Ivory Coast .
My overall guard force consisted of 3500 assorted staff members, including BD, guards, drivers, bodyguards, and admin staff. My remit covered the recruitment, training and management of the work force, the establishment and management of budgets of + 8m $, market and competitor analysis.
IC– Lomé/ Cotonou were also responsible for airside security at the two respective int’l airports, providing security services to both the private & public sectors. I was responsible for the formulation and implementation of the training of port authority guards, air marshals and HVC couriers, such as diamonds cash and gold.
I also provided consultancy services to the Independent Port Authority of Cotonou & Lomé, Commercial contracts ranged from MTN, ECOBANK, CRS, ASKY, MAERSK, MSC, British American Tobacco and Brussels Airlines etc.
During my tenure I added over 1500 new guards to the team and raised revenues by over 65%. Inter-Con under my management was also responsible for the external protection force at both the USE Benin & Togo and the undercover intelligence collation and surveillance unit (SD) at the USE Benin, inclusive of all CP, anti-terrorist protocols, explosive (itemizer) and x-ray screening etc.
Sept 2006 – Nov 2007
Managing Director-Country Manager (SSI-Safetech) – Kinshasa DRC
Director of Operations-Northern Congo DRC- G4S/DSA/SAFETECH
Project Manager – United States Embassy, Kinshasa, Congo DRC
I had initially joined SSI-Safetech during the period of the Congolese elections and the resulting turmoil. My immediate remit was the re-modeling of the company, recruitment and training of over 500 new guards and the ongoing management of the existing 400 strong guard force covering recruitment, HSE and HR.
My main duties also included market analysis, budget management of over 23m $, marketing projections and the ongoing evaluation of local and regional emerging markets and facilities management relative to offices/dock facility/expat housing etc .
I was also invited by the DRC govt to give advice on Police and Armed forces training programs inclusive of the review of the Presidential CP teams, implementation of an Air Marshal Program and training of anti-riot police squads. Commercial contracts ranged from Vodacom, South African Embassy and Brussels airlines ex Sabena.
Safetech was also responsible for the US embassy external protection force and the undercover intelligence collation unit (SD), along with MONUC, USaid, UN and other NGO protection services. This service also included the management of the ERT QRF force.
I also provided group intelligence collation in participation with the UK Embassy security team and French Embassy Gendarmerie security force, in relation to rebel activity in the East of the country, attending MONUC backed initiatives. Throughout this time I established and maintained strong links with the customs and national police force and exchanged at the highest levels of the MINDEF.
After the merger by G4S of Defense Systems Africa & Safetech I was re-assigned to the position Director of Operations Northern Congo DRC, with a direct accumulated regional workforce of 4800 and an offset oversight responsibility for 9500 staff.
Dec 2004 – Dec 2005 (1 Year)
Country Security Manager
Consolidated Construction Contractors, CCC, Baghdad, Iraq
CCC was ranked 1st in the GCC, Gulf Pan region, and was comprised of a conglomeration of Middle Eastern, European and North American business entities derived from diverse backgrounds such as construction, petro- chemical and civil engineering, based in Athens and operational in Iraq with an in country workforce contingent of app. 1.800, and a worldwide workforce of over 160.000.
I was responsible for the recruitment and training of engineers, architects and other professional entities, armed security, including bodyguards, escorts and drivers.
My duties also included the formulation and implementation of corporate security procedures and protocols to enable maximum protection, specifically of western expatriates, national employees, and company assets.
Included in my specific remit was the liaison with CJTF-7 RIE and CPA/ MNF (US coalition forces) notably ROC Baghdad, in support of “Operation Iraqi Freedom / Enduring Freedom” and the management of US govt funding management in the re-establishment of the national power grid.
I was also responsible for the application and allocation of weapons permits, the maintenance of a comprehensive armoury and the application of strict western protocols to weapons handling and defensive procedures, along with the collation and dissemination of relevant intelligence and implementation of protocols covering HR, HSECS, and general management.
Nov 2003 – Dec 2004 (1 Year) –
Assistant Director of Corporate Security
SAAD group of companies, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia
The SAAD group of companies was a major Saudi blue chip, multi-faceted organization with diverse interests in the GCC region, mainly in Saudi Arabia. The group is active in high quality medi-care, education, construction, importation/exportation, and tourism.
The SAAD specialist hospital security dept under my jurisdiction, was responsible for the day to day management of the nine hundred affiliated staff covering Facilities Management , HR , HSE and other relevant duties included the writing of policies and procedures and auditing the dept in order to deliver best practices and maintain due diligence.
Included in my remit was the security of the maternity wards and Royal suites for the Saudi Royal family and other VIP’s. I was also responsible for the wellbeing and security of over 800 TCN expatriate employee’s resident in the eastern province of Al-Khobar.
Dec 2000-Jan 2002 (1 Year)
Base Security Manager / Security Consultant
Halliburton Energy Services, Algeria, North Africa.
Halliburton took my previous subcontractor position and made it a direct hire status. This position then being a continuation of my previous post
Feb 1995 – Dec 2000 (5 Years)
Int’l Security Consultant
Halliburton / Bechtel / Wascana / Petronas / Oryx / Brown & Root, Algeria, North Africa.
In the five years in Algeria working for various construction, oil and gas production companies, involved in diverse projects and industries, I worked in either a sub-contractor or direct hire basis on project based employment packages.
Initially employed as an armed field operative in a QRF (quick reaction force) team with the rank of deputy project security coordinator and as a member of the twenty –five man unit I was tasked with the close protection of the expatriate western workforce working in a multitude of high-risk environments, the specific danger being the threat from the wave of terrorist attacks against western expats, prevalent at the time.
My responsibilities included HR/Crisis management, facilities management of base camps and living quarters and HSE.
My duties also included the formulation, implementation and continued management of policies and procedures, required to maintain the high levels of security in the defense of corporate infrastructures and manpower. This included the continued training and instruction of the five hundred + man guard force and affiliated members of the security dept, weapons instruction, tactical security in Rural – Urban environments training and general OPSEC.
I was also responsible for the oversight management of military and base camp construction and the ongoing site management of those base camps inclusive of catering / housing / security / logistics.
Relevant Prior Employment
1993-1995 (2Years) – Base Security Manager
Taylor International, Algeria, North Africa.
Taylor Int’l provided base/support services to Bechtel / Sonatrach on various projects including petro / gas refinery renovation, construction and deep desert exploration sites. I managed the sixty (60) man guard force, and advised on further defensive security measures at all the sites and locations, inclusive of LNG plant and storage facilities. My initial remit also covered the offset supervision of the construction of base camps and logistics associated with deep desert distant location facilities, inclusive of housing / security / catering /logistics and transport.
1990-1993 (3 Years)-
Int’l Security Consultant to Himmelstein Shipping, Frankfurt –Germany / Ivory Coast / Liberia
In this position I traveled extensively throughout Europe and Africa advising the company on the security of employees and on the operational organisation of the company in West Africa and Europe.
The company operations involved international shipping, mining and logging but also spread into camp construction and management.
I was detached/ seconded to the ECOMOG independent observer unit covering Liberia, during the early periods of civil unrest 1990 until 1991 and acted as POC for emergency evacuations and intelligence collation.
1987 – 1990 (3 Years)
ILG (Int’l Leisure Group)
Regional Security Manger – France
As the RSM I was responsible for local police and law enforcement liaison, working closely with the DST, Gendarmerie and Police National and Municipal, on projects mostly applicable to UK citizens in France, and as a translator and court facilitator. I also worked as a local gov’t interface working closely with town council, regional government and elected officials. My immediate remit also covered the 25 man strong security team management, including investigations.
1980 – 1985 (5Years) – HMAF (Infantry) the Duke of Wellingtons Regt., United Kingdom
1985 – 1987 (2 Years) – HMAF (TAVR) United Kingdom
Regt police officer / Intelligence section / Demo platoon/Trooper
Other Training Or Experiencce
Business Continuity Planning – 2 week industrial cadre
Intelligence Collation and Evaluation – 2 month academy instruction cadre – 25yrs experience
Crisis Management – 3 week industrial cadre
Small Arms Training – Browning –Sign Sauer / AK-47 / MP5 + K /SLR-FN 7.62 / FAMAS
Convoy Security Drills – 2 week military instruction cadre , 7 years’ experience in Algeria +12 months actual combat conditions (Iraq)
Anti-Ambush Drills -2 week military instruction cadre , 7 years’ experience in Algeria + 12 months actual combat conditions (Iraq)
Tactical Security – Urban/Rural environments – 6 week military instruction cadre , 7 years’ experience in Algeria + 12 months actual combat conditions (Iraq)
Defensive Driving Techniques – 4 week academy instruction cadre , 7 years’ experience in Algeria + 12 months actual combat conditions (Iraq)
Remote Area Trauma Life Support (modules 1&2) – desert medic – 4 week industrial cadre
QRF – Force d’Action Rapide – 4 weeks military instruction cadre , 7 years’ experience in Algeria +12 months actual combat conditions in Iraq
Experienced with earth station ground relay communications networks + HF/VHF/Inmarsat
Computer Literate, using most word based applications, including, but not limited to, word/point, excel, access & outlook.
Recommendations/Awards/Recognition
• US DoS certificate of recognition for assistance to the President of the United States (POTUS) visit to Benin
• US DoS certificate of recognition for crisis management training with SF/Law enforcement of Benin in defence of the US embassy Benin
• HMAF General Service Medal for service in Northern Ireland
• UN Service Medal for Cyprus
Qualifications
• HMAF Army Education Promotion Certificate
• 3 ‘O’ Levels / 2 ‘A’ Levels
• Open University – Social Sciences
• Leeds Business School – Business Studies
• Remote Area Trauma Life Support Services module 1+ 2 (RATSL)
Locations Of Experience
France, UK , Germany , Algeria , Tunisia , Morocco , Guinea Conakry, Liberia , Ivory Coast , Togo , Benin , DRC , ROC, Cameroon , South Africa, Greece , Cyprus , Iraq , Saudi Arabia , Bahrain , Jordan , United States .
