Simon is a Chartered Security Professional and a leading international authority in the field of security. With deep-rooted experience advising private families and corporate clients, he is known for managing complex and sensitive situations in some of the world’s most challenging environments.
He is the founder and a senior influence at Blackstone Consultancy, bringing a distinguished pedigree and broad international experience. Simon thrives on complexity and diversity, with a well-honed ability to interpret dynamic risk landscapes, rather than viewing threats through a one-dimensional lens.
Before establishing Blackstone Consultancy, Simon served in a senior capacity with Aegis Defence Services, managing a global portfolio of private and governmental clients. His professional journey began with 15 years in the British Army, during which he completed multiple operational deployments, including a secondment to SO15 – the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command. He planned, led, and executed operations targeting terrorist and criminal entities in high-threat regions, operating effectively in both leadership and frontline roles.
In addition to his operational and consultancy work, Simon serves as an assessor for the Register of Chartered Security Professionals, playing a key role in upholding the standards and integrity of the profession. Personable and forthright, he is a strong advocate of continuous professional development and actively mentors emerging talent in the industry.
Simon holds enhanced DBS clearance and was honoured with the Freedom of the City of London in October 2015.
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.
Angie brings a compelling combination of strategic leadership, exceptional communication, influencing and relationship building skills and deep operational experience within the security sector. A highly commended officer for her policing operations, she holds Chartered status as a security professional.
Angie served as a senior police leader on investigative, protection and intelligence commands, with her final rank being Detective Superintendent. She served as a senior leader within the Royalty and Specialist Protection Command 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 has successfully led protective security teams in the private and corporate sector for a variety of different clients with a range of threat issues. Her outstanding communication and interpersonal skills are adaptable to any environment, and she is able to ensure the security issues are articulated with the diplomacy and tact associated with operating at diplomatic levels.
In addition to holding her Chartered Security Professional status, Angie is an active member of IOSH which governs workplace health and safety. She mentors widely across policing and the security sectors and is an active advocate for Diversity and Inclusion.
Chris is a seasoned intelligence and investigations leader with extensive experience managing complex, concurrent global security, risk, and intelligence projects for high-profile clients across the financial, legal, sporting, and technology sectors. He currently serves as the Head of Risk, where he specializes in developing strategic frameworks and translating organizational objectives into sustainable, results-driven deliverables.
Previously, Chris was the Head of Operations at a London-based risk management consultancy, where he honed his skills in strategic planning, project execution, and stakeholder engagement. His ability to negotiate and influence across organizational boundaries has been instrumental in building strong, collaborative relationships and delivering high-impact outcomes.
Chris’ expertise spans a broad range of disciplines, including investigations, intelligence operations, change management, multi-project coordination, information security, electronic countermeasures, physical and property security, technical surveillance, and executive protection.
His career began with 23 years of distinguished service in HM Forces, where he led global intelligence and investigative operations in some of the most complex and challenging environments worldwide.
Tom Tahany joined Blackstone Consultancy in October 2018. He leads teams involved in conducting Security Surveys at both residential and commercial properties across the UK and globally.
He gained a BA in Modern History from the University of East Anglia and followed this by completing a Masters with Distinction in Intelligence and International Security at King’s College London. He previously worked for several other private intelligence and investigation companies prior to joining Blackstone Consultancy, building his experience and honing an ability to identify varying risk vectors faced by both private clients and businesses.
He is a qualified rugby referee and has served as a match official for over 100 Premiership & European fixtures. He also maintains an interest in geopolitics, current affairs and sport.
Tom was the winner of the ‘President’s Award for an Outstanding Young Professional’ at the 2021 Security Institute Awards Dinner. As well as this, he was shortlisted for the ‘Outstanding Young Security Professional’ at both the 2020 and 2022 OSPAs, and the ‘President’s Award for an Outstanding Young Professional’ at the 2019 Security Institute Awards Dinner.
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 32 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 has worked with Blackstone Consultancy Ltd for the past four years and maintained his high standards of service and delivery to all the corporate and private clients needing his services. Not only does he arrange the services required by clients, but he will also run these tasks in person to ensure that the high standards he has promised are delivered. Some of these tasks are extremely high profile with worldwide interest.
Lee has two grown up children and relaxes by keeping fit, (cycling, running, kayaking, golf, weight training), gardening, walking the dog, reading and listening to music.
Dave is the Strategic Security Advisor for Blackstone Consultancy, bringing a wealth of military and police experience to the business. Retiring from the Army in 2019 with the rank of Brigadier, Dave’s final appointment was as the Provost Marshal of the Army. Over a distinguished 26-year career, he gained extensive investigative and security expertise.
Additionally, he served on the National Police Chiefs’ Council and is a qualified Senior Investigating Officer (SIO), Gold Public Order Commander, and RIPA Level 2 Authorising Officer.
Until 2024, Dave served as the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, reporting directly to the Home Secretary on the effectiveness and efficiency of aspects of the UK’s border security and intelligence. This is Dave’s second tenure with Blackstone, having previously worked on strategic projects as well as designing and bringing into core, our bespoke physical security assessment strategy in 2020.
As Strategic Security Advisor, Dave’s principle focus is to take a forward-looking approach, building strategies to address client challenges while aligning security solutions with their broader business objectives.
Dave holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees and he is a Fellow of the Security Institute (FSyI) and holds Chartered Security Professional (CSyP) status. Furthermore, Dave supports the UK Parliament’s Home Affairs Select Committee as a specialist advisor and serves as an independent member of the Southwark Police Monitoring Board. He is County President for the Royal Brish Legion in Surrey.
Dave holds enhanced DBS clearance.
Paul served in HM Forces within the Royal Military Police (RMP) for over 22 years, attaining the rank of Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2). He specialised in Close protection whilst serving and dedicated his military service to protecting high ranking military individuals, ambassadors, politicians, civil servants and diplomats across the world.
Paul has a compelling mix of tactical protective security experience and strategic protection management. He has worked as a part of a multi-cultural organisation at NATO HQ ensuring operation efficiency for civilian and military cooperation as well as deploying as the lead for protection teams globally.
In addition to leading close protection teams in the field or in theatre, he used his knowledge and considerable experience at the close protection unit RMP as Operations Warrant Officer, where he was responsible for ensuring that RMP Close Protection Operatives are trained to his high standards for deployment and has left his legacy on
military close protection training.
Paul has been highly decorated and commended during his military career and was awarded the Queen’s commendation for Valuable Service (QCVS) for his service during operational tours in Northern Ireland. Furthermore, he was awarded the MBE for close protection operations, by Her Majesty The Queen, the highest recognition within the close
protection discipline.
Leaving the military in 2014, Paul went on the provide security consultancy in the commercial sector. He was retained to provide Global CEOs protective security advice and manage travel security risks for global events which included FIFA World Cup, Commonwealth Games, G20 summits and Energy among others.
He has also retained his interest and love of teaching and instruction since leaving the military and has led and advised various high quality close protection training suppliers in the design and delivery of bespoke close protection training. He is committed to raising standards in close protection service delivery.
He carries out regular and structured continued professional development and consults as part of expert working panels with industry governing bodies.
Paul’s private interests are playing the bass guitar, guitar restoration and walking his two dogs.