He's a close protection professional who specializes in working with public figures and operating in challenging and non-permissive environments. On today’s show, Elijah Shaw sits down with JT Brown to talk about mindset and training. What type of mentality is required to work with a client that is operating in unstable and insecure environments? What is the industry perception versus the actual reality?

Tune into this week's show to get JT's opinion on those questions, and we also discuss...

• How to be strategic ahead of being reactive?
• As a protector, how do you get to the top of the 'food chain?'
• What are the 'laws of the jungle' that allow us to perform in any environment?
• What are some best practices for 'staying off the menu' and not becoming prey?

More about JT:

LinkedIn

More about the Circuit:

The Circuit Magazine is written and produced by volunteers, most of who are operationally active, working full time in the security industry. The magazine is a product of their combined passion and desire to give something back to the industry. By subscribing to the magazine you are helping to keep it going into the future. Find out more >

If you liked this podcast, we have an accompanying weekly newsletter called 'On the Circuit' where we take a deeper dive into the wider industry. Opt in here >

The Circuit team is:

• Elijah Shaw
• Jon Moss
• Shaun West
• Phelim Rowe

Connect with Us: 

Circuit Magazine

BBA Connect

NABA Protector

British Bodyguard Association

How would you feel about always running towards the danger? If you thought telling a UHNW Principal 'no' was hard, try working with journalists. We are honoured to welcome Ken Perry, Founder, Cosain Consultancy to the Circuit Magazine Podcast to explore:

• How could you leave your EP 'hat' at the door when protecting media?
• What facilitation and medical skills are essential to work with correspondents and teams in hot zones?
• Is media protection only something you should consider if you have an SF background?
• How can you prevent your media team from becoming collateral damage?
• What pre-preparation can media protectors do given their very short stand-by notice?
• Why should a protector want to work with journalists and media as a career?

More about Ken:

LinkedIn:

Cosain Consultancy:

More about the Circuit:

The Circuit Magazine is written and produced by volunteers, most of who are operationally active, working full time in the security industry. The magazine is a product of their combined passion and desire to give something back to the industry. By subscribing to the magazine you are helping to keep it going into the future. Find out more >

If you liked this podcast, we have an accompanying weekly newsletter called 'On the Circuit' where we take a deeper dive into the wider industry. Opt in here >

The Circuit team is:

• Elijah Shaw
• Jon Moss
• Shaun West
• Phelim Rowe

Connect with Us: 

Circuit Magazine

BBA Connect

NABA Protector

British Bodyguard Association

Could too much hot-zone experience lose you lose a corporate security opportunity? Is a corporate job really an 'easy ride' for a later life career? Hard hitting questions for today's session with Marcus Stephens-Ofner who has successfully transitioned from the Circuit to the Corporate Environment where we will also look at:

• How can you 'translate' EP accomplishments in a corporate security setting?
• Why should an EP operator look at working in a corporation?
• What benefits does becoming an employee offer an operator used to working contractually?
• How can an EP CV / Resume be adapted?
• What transferrable skills does the EP specialist have?

More about the Circuit:

The Circuit Magazine is written and produced by volunteers, most of who are operationally active, working full time in the security industry. The magazine is a product of their combined passion and desire to give something back to the industry. By subscribing to the magazine you are helping to keep it going into the future. Find out more >

If you liked this podcast, we have an accompanying weekly newsletter called 'On the Circuit' where we take a deeper dive into the wider industry. Opt in here >

The Circuit team is:

• Elijah Shaw
• Jon Moss
• Shaun West
• Phelim Rowe

Connect with Us: 

Circuit Magazine

BBA Connect

NABA Protector

British Bodyguard Association

Is a two week gruelling and sometimes degrading kidnap and hostile environment training really suitable for most EP professionals and their principals? Equally would a paper based tick box exercise offer any thing of actual value? Introducing the possible middle way in virtual reality simulated training being developed by Peter Moore, IT consultant and former hostage.

Peter Moore has written several times for the Circuit Magazine and has given testimony of his ordeal and we are grateful to have him return on the podcast to explore:

• What are the benefits and scope of possibilities of virtual reality training today for protectors?
• How can you convince your Principal to participate in awareness training without scaring them?
• Would a lengthy and hyper realistic in person kidnap and ransom training course be of any benefit to a non Government or Military protector?
• Where does awareness training sit within professional qualifications being sought by protectors?
• Should you integrate 'conduct after capture' training for both principal and protector and how should a kidnap subject react to the key hours after being taken?

With Guest Editor Chuck Randolph:

We are delighted to welcome Chuck Randolph, co-host of Conversations in Close Protection as a guest editor this week to introduce and conclude our interview with Peter Moore. It is a great opportunity to continue cross-collaboration with our international EP friends!

More about the Circuit:

The Circuit Magazine is written and produced by volunteers, most of who are operationally active, working full time in the security industry. The magazine is a product of their combined passion and desire to give something back to the industry. By subscribing to the magazine you are helping to keep it going into the future. Find out more >

If you liked this podcast, we have an accompanying weekly newsletter called 'On the Circuit' where we take a deeper dive into the wider industry. Opt in here >

The Circuit team is:

• Elijah Shaw
• Jon Moss
• Shaun West
• Phelim Rowe

Connect with Us: 

Circuit Magazine

BBA Connect

NABA Protector

British Bodyguard Association

Often, the group that tries to be all things to all people is going to fail. So, is the managed Security Service of the future going to be more about subcontracting and strategic partnerships?

On this week’s show, we’re joined by Mark Ledlow and Patrick Kane to look at the way in which physical security/EP fits squarely in the managed security service of tomorrow. As we dig into this, we’ll be asking:

• How has corporate security modernized over the last two years? What new offerings are we seeing?
• Are we starting to see a greater appetite at a corporate level for protective intelligence over an executive protection program?
• In an integrated solution with cyber colleagues, could physical security become the eyes and ears on the ground for a joint Intel group?
• What vital skill are security managers searching for that protectors are missing from their resumes? 

About Mark:

Mark is the Founder and CEO of Ledlow Associates LLC Holding Company of Ledlow Security Group, Providing Executive Security Services and Physical Security Risk Mitigation to Companies. Mark is a Speaker and the Host of The Fearless Mindset Podcast Marine Corps Veteran Risk & Security Advisor to Corporations Family Office.

Mark also Coaches Veterans transitioning from Military into the (Private Sector) Executive Security Services Industry or Business Ownership.

LinkedIn

About Patrick:

Partick is a Security professional specializing in the proactive protection of personnel and assets in a dynamic global environment. Extensive experience assessing and mitigating physical security risk and developing and establishing programs to safeguard staff and company operations. On-the-ground experience in 70+ countries. International Executive MBA from Instituto de Empresa (Madrid). Certified Protection Professional (CPP), Board Certified in Security Management.

Author of the book Practical Security Training - published by Butterworth Heinemannn - 1999.

LinkedIn

More about the Circuit:

The Circuit Magazine is written and produced by volunteers, most of who are operationally active, working full time in the security industry. The magazine is a product of their combined passion and desire to give something back to the industry. By subscribing to the magazine you are helping to keep it going into the future. Find out more >

If you liked this podcast, we have an accompanying weekly newsletter called 'On the Circuit' where we take a deeper dive into the wider industry. Opt in here >

The Circuit team is:

• Elijah Shaw
• Jon Moss
• Shaun West
• Phelim Rowe

Connect with Us: 

Circuit Magazine

BBA Connect

NABA Protector

British Bodyguard Association

Family Offices are sometimes seen by EP as 'Unicorns' because of their inaccessibility. There has also been an assumption in some quarters that they do not pay enough attention to the type of Executive Security they procure. Today we are pleased to welcome Olivia Cooper, Head of Private Wealth and Family Office at Axiom DWFM to set the record straight and ask:

• How can Executive Protection better approach Family Offices when looking to provide services?
• Where can EP add more value and become a trusted security advisor?
• What is keeping UHNWs up at night especially in the coming months?
• How commonplace is the convergence between Wealth Management and Risk Management within a Family Office?
• What would make a trusted advisor stand out and will a firm professional assessment be more respected than becoming the 'department of yes'?
• How is succession planning related to Executive Risk Management?

About Olivia:

Olivia is Head of Private Wealth and Family Office at Axiom DWFM, having worked with families and family offices globally for over 20 years. She advises on the most suitable location, structuring requirements, and the creation of family offices both traditional and virtual. Olivia manages all of the families’ requirements; including their succession plans and their lifetime choices, along with providing future proofing for a family’s wealth for successive generations.

She has spoken at numerous conferences on various topics crucial to the ongoing health and wealth of the family office environment, ranging from security, educating the next generation to capital placement. Olivia’s commercial acumen and geopolitical knowledge is invaluable to her clients who recognise her ability to provide a holistic approach that includes a global outlook for their family office and private wealth structuring.

LinkedIn

More about the Circuit:

The Circuit Magazine is written and produced by volunteers, most of who are operationally active, working full time in the security industry. The magazine is a product of their combined passion and desire to give something back to the industry. By subscribing to the magazine you are helping to keep it going into the future. Find out more >

If you liked this podcast, we have an accompanying weekly newsletter called 'On the Circuit' where we take a deeper dive into the wider industry. Opt in here >

The Circuit team is:

• Elijah Shaw
• Jon Moss
• Shaun West
• Phelim Rowe

Connect with Us: 

Circuit Magazine

BBA Connect

NABA Protector

British Bodyguard Association

How can the 'verbal Judo' skills from policing translate into the private sector of EP and what can both learn from each other? Join recently retired Royalty and Specialist Protection specialist Scott Hamer as we explore:

• What should operators in the police better understand before transitioning to the private sector?
• How can one assess the motives behind seeking EP employment after retiring from the police and why does that matter?
• What are the key verbal judo skills that will assist a transitioning colleague beyond their police career?
• What new technology can the private sector expect to see after having first being used in the public sector?

About Scott:

Scott is currently employed by Birmingham 2022 (Commonwealth Games) working as a Venue Security Manager at The Alexander Stadium with specific responsibility for the opening and closing ceremonies and all Internationally Protected Persons. Prior to this I served over 30 years in The Metropolitan Police. Over half of his service has been spent on close protection duties based out of New Scotland Yard as an operator, and team leader, working in over 50 countries across the globe. As well as being the lead for The Met’s CP training, he also continues to instruct and lecture in the private CP and protective security sectors. The last five years of his police career was spent as Personal Protection Officer to HRH The Prince of Wales

LinkedIn

More about the Circuit:

The Circuit Magazine is written and produced by volunteers, most of who are operationally active, working full time in the security industry. The magazine is a product of their combined passion and desire to give something back to the industry. By subscribing to the magazine you are helping to keep it going into the future. Find out more >

If you liked this podcast, we have an accompanying weekly newsletter called 'On the Circuit' where we take a deeper dive into the wider industry. Opt in here >

The Circuit team is:

• Elijah Shaw
• Jon Moss
• Shaun West
• Phelim Rowe

Connect with Us: 

Circuit Magazine

BBA Connect

NABA Protector

British Bodyguard Association

Pulling off a 'minor miracle' is a double edged sword... you solved your Principal's problem but now they will expect a miracle every day...

On today's Short Circuit Podcast Elijah Shaw is pleased to welcome Vantrell Wilson, Supervisor at ICON Global to uncover the secrets to effective problem solving for protectors including:

• Should the protector be expected to pre-plan problem solving for the unexpected?
• How can you balance managing your family obligations with constantly moving expectations for work related problem solving?
• How can the protector remove emotional responses to routine problems?
• How can we adopt the mentality of 'playing how you practice'?
• If you manage to pull of a minor miracle, how can you manage expectations regarding always pulling it off?

About Vantrell:

Vantrell Wilson is an Executive Protection & Risk Management Consultant specializing in working with High Net Worth Family’s. A former Marine and Private Investigator, Vantrell has worked in a number of sectors in the industry including Corporate Security and Celebrity Protection

LinkedIn

More about the Circuit:

The Circuit Magazine is written and produced by volunteers, most of who are operationally active, working full time in the security industry. The magazine is a product of their combined passion and desire to give something back to the industry. By subscribing to the magazine you are helping to keep it going into the future. Find out more >

If you liked this podcast, we have an accompanying weekly newsletter called 'On the Circuit' where we take a deeper dive into the wider industry. Opt in here >

The Circuit team is:

• Elijah Shaw
• Jon Moss
• Shaun West
• Phelim Rowe

Connect with Us: 

Circuit Magazine

BBA Connect

NABA Protector

British Bodyguard Association

This week we have all four hosts of the Circuit Magazine Podcast in the same room at the same time… an event as rare as a solar eclipse! And you might need those shades because while the sun is beating down on the northern hemisphere, we thought we would catch up with Phelim, Shaun, Jon and Elijah between operational commitments for a mid-year roundup. 

In this week’s show the team not only reflects on the first half of the new podcast season but we also discuss what it means to be an operationally active protector, how we juggle work commitments, and how we blindsided Shaun to unknowingly become a guest on his own podcast! 

Join the team for this light-hearted look back over the past 6 months while we share:

• What each host’s top 3 podcast episodes have been at the midway point.

• What we’ve learned by starting a podcast.

• The balance between being a ‘grey man’ for operational purposes while being a figurehead in the industry.

• The importance of reviewing and purging your social media and why we should learn from industry mishaps while avoiding criticism.

More about the Circuit:

The Circuit Magazine is written and produced by volunteers, most of who are operationally active, working full time in the security industry. The magazine is a product of their combined passion and desire to give something back to the industry. By subscribing to the magazine you are helping to keep it going into the future. Find out more >

If you liked this podcast, we have an accompanying weekly newsletter called 'On the Circuit' where we take a deeper dive into the wider industry. Opt in here >

The Circuit team is:

• Elijah Shaw
• Jon Moss
• Shaun West
• Phelim Rowe

Connect with Us: 

Circuit Magazine

BBA Connect

NABA Protector

British Bodyguard Association