Speaker Profile

Nick has recently retired from the role of Counter-Terrorism National Coordinator (Protect and Prepare). This was his final role in a career that has spanned 36 years in the military, security and policing. As the National Coordinator, it was Nick’s responsibility to lead a network of 200 specialists tasked with making the UK stronger and more resistant to terrorism as well as more resilient in the aftermath of attacks. In this role, Nick set up what has become know as the ‘Step-Change’ Programme that is driving forward the integration of private and public sectors.

Prior to this, Nick had been the police protective security lead for London, serving in this position throughout the terrorist attacks in 2017. Throughout this period he led a team of 300 staff and developed a model for working with business that has gone on to become a national programme. The attack on the Houses of Parliament was of particular concern to Nick as only 18 months prior to this, he had been responsible for the policing and security operation at that location with a 500 strong mixed workforce of security and police officers. He subsequently gave evidence at the coroners inquest into that attack.

Most of Nick’s career has been at the front line of policing in either counter-terrorism or protective security roles. He worked as an Armed Response Team supervisor as well as a VIP protection officer, looking after members of the Royal Family and government ministers. During this time, he also led a team of specialist EOD search officers and was instrumental in migrating CT skills into core policing teams for the greater benefit of policing. Nick did take a little time out of his career in 2001 and became an Australian resident, living and working in Sydney until 2003. It was in Sydney that he fell in love with yacht racing and spent many happy days ploughing up and down the Tasman Sea, including racing in the 2003 Sydney to Hobart.