Services

Six fixed-scope services.

Security surveys and vulnerability assessments

A security survey determines how well a site is protected against the threats it actually faces, and what should be done where it is not.

I survey commercial premises, multi-site estates, venues and private residences, in the UK and internationally, to a formal surveying method rather than a checklist.

Engaged as a risk consultant and named as one of the firm's primary risk responders in London, called on for complex, highly sensitive and confidential risk management work, for clients ranging from private families to global organisations.

Operations Director, UK risk management firm

A commercial building at dusk with an external camera in the foreground

Travel risk and journey management

Travel risk management establishes what a destination and a journey actually expose people to, and what has to be in place before, during and after the movement.

I plan and support movements for executives, principals and staff, from routine business travel through to operations in complex environments, globally.

Protective support to the chief executive's office. International visits planned and run end to end, including meetings with key stakeholders, government officials, chief executives and financial regulators. Every hotel and itinerary risk-assessed before use, locations and agendas checked beforehand, and engagements held to time.

Chief Information Security Officer, Europe and MENA, global digital asset exchange

An airport terminal at sunrise, an aircraft waiting on the stand

Community and school advice and training

Security awareness training prepares people to recognise a developing problem and act on it before it becomes an incident.

I deliver sessions in schools, colleges, universities, workplaces and community settings, to a formal teaching standard, with written assessment and a record of what was delivered.

Credited for attention to detail, meticulous planning and a high level of professionalism, and for an infectious enthusiasm in the work. Judged to have gone beyond what was asked in order to meet the objective, and recommended without reservation.

From written client references

Pupils walking towards a school building

CP/EP advisory and review

An executive protection review assesses whether an existing programme matches the threat it faces, and what needs to change where it does not.

I review programmes protecting chief executives, senior leadership, private families and high-profile individuals, from single-principal arrangements through to teams operating under sustained threat.

Engaged as close protection officer and risk consultant, for clients ranging from private families to global organisations, and called on for complex, highly sensitive and confidential work.

Operations Director, UK risk management firm

A protection officer with an earpiece, a vehicle waiting beyond

Crisis preparedness

A preparedness review examines an organisation's security plans, procedures and escalation arrangements, and identifies what is missing and what needs strengthening.

I review preparedness for single sites through to multi-site and international operations, against the threats the organisation actually faces.

Executive protection led through sustained civil unrest and pandemic disruption, contingency planning and security coordination throughout. Incident escalation and decision support for a chief executive's office during changing risk, and escalation procedures improved across a multi-site portfolio while it ran. Built on operational service in demanding environments.

Experience behind it

An operations screen showing alerts across a world map

Retained and embedded security advisor

A retained or embedded advisor gives an organisation continuing access to senior security judgement, at one of two depths.

I advise corporates, family offices and organisations with real exposure and no internal security function, from scheduled availability through to working inside the organisation full time for an agreed period.

Named as one of the firm's primary risk responders in London over a year-long engagement, and called on for complex, highly sensitive and confidential risk management work.

Operations Director, UK risk management firm

A Daniel Smith Advisory notebook and pen on a desk

Who I work with

Principals and family offices, businesses, schools, media and NGOs. You get advice you can act on, and enough to make the decision yourself.

Principals and family offices
Protection, residences, family routines and travel, including independent review of existing protection arrangements and the teams delivering them.
Corporate and commercial
Travel risk, security assessments, sites, events, staff preparation and retained security advice where additional experience or capacity is needed.
Media and broadcast
Destination assessments, journey management, security planning and preparation for teams working or travelling in unfamiliar or challenging environments.
NGO and humanitarian
Travel risk management, journey planning, security assessments and staff preparation for people operating in difficult or changing environments.
Schools, colleges and universities
Practical safety and security awareness for students, staff and parents, alongside security surveys and advice for the places where they study and work.
Private individuals
Independent advice on personal, residential and travel security, particularly when circumstances have changed or you want to understand whether the arrangements you already have are right.

If your requirement does not fit neatly into one of these areas, the initial scope call will establish whether it is something I can help with. There is no charge for that call.

Questions

Questions asked on most scope calls.

What does it cost?

Fixed scope, fixed price, agreed before anything starts. The price depends on what you need, the level of work involved and what is already in place. That is established during the initial scope call.

How quickly can you turn work around?

It depends on the work. A straightforward assessment may be turned around quickly, while a security survey, training programme or more involved piece of work needs proper preparation. The delivery date is agreed before the work starts.

We already use a security provider. Where do you fit?

Usually on your side of the table. I can independently review the service, standards and arrangements already in place, identify gaps and give you an informed view of whether what you are receiving is right for what you need.

Do you provide close protection teams?

I provide executive and close protection advice, programme reviews, planning, training and operational support. Where additional personnel are required, I can help define what is needed and assess the proposed arrangements without tying that advice to the supply of manpower.

Why do you work with schools and community groups as well as businesses?

The principles are much the same: understand the situation, recognise problems early, make better decisions and know what to do when something happens. The content and delivery change depending on who is in the room.

Is this only for high-risk environments?

No. Security and travel problems do not only happen in high-risk locations. Much of the work is about identifying foreseeable problems in everyday situations and making sure the right preparation, decisions and arrangements are in place before they are needed.

Next step

Talk it through first.

Describe the situation and I will tell you what I would do about it, or whether you need me at all. Fifteen minutes.

Request a scope call Who does the work