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ILS was founded by George and Rebecca in 2010. The aim was to deliver quality security consultancy services to International Organisations, using the wealth of knowledge and experience they’d gained from working with NGOs in post-conflict environments and other complex settings. Since then, the team has grown significantly and we are extremely proud to employ such a unique team of professionals.
George has led the development of ILS from its inception in 2010. He maintains oversight of all ILS’ service delivery and business development, with a specific focus on our Global Learning Programme. George has worked in aid and development since 2003, in both strategic and operational roles, in the UK and in various complex and post conflict settings around the world.
Rebecca has led the strategic development of ILS since our inception. Today she oversees various functions of the business including strategic development and growth, financial management and sector engagement. She has a varied background including working in international development programmes in countries including Kenya, Ethiopia, India, Egypt and Pakistan.
Leandro oversees the development and delivery of ILS global training programme. He joins ILS following a period of time working in academia and as an L&D consultant within the Human Rights, Democracy and Election Observation space. Prior to that he spent 8 years as an Election Monitor in a range of complex environments. He is fluent in English, French and Spanish and has worked in 18 different countries over the past 10 years.
Helen is a chartered accountant, she has previously worked in practice, national companies, and charities. She is your contact for all things finance.
Cat leads our operational management function. With over 18 years' experience in the international development sector, she has extensive programme management, compliance, and programme quality experience. She has lived and worked in Rwanda, Madagascar, Tanzania, and Zambia to support and deliver health, rights and environmental programmes in partnership with local community and NGOs. Prior to joining ILS, Cat worked for an HIV and rights based organisation in the UK as programme specialist, leading programmes in MENA, Southern Africa, Haiti, South Sudan and Kenya.
Nathan is a specialist in Threat Assessment, Risk Mitigation and building the capacity of Non-Government Organisations, governments and security forces. He has worked in conflict-affected and politically complex contexts, including Iraq, Ukraine and Nigeria. Nathan has nine years’ experience as an Officer in the British Army, and in senior management positions within International NGOs.
Alice holds an LLM in International Law and Global Justice. Her studies in Humanitarian law saw her research the standing of state and non-state actors in conflict scenarios, women in peacekeeping, and the legality of the 2003 occupation of Iraq. Other areas of focus include Migration Policy and Refugee Law. Alice also has experience of legal research for criminal justice organisations, in both the UK and USA.
Hannah delivers risk advisory projects to our clients in the UK and the field. Hannah has extensive experience providing operational and strategic risk advice to clients, having previously worked as a Senior Threat Analyst for Crisis24 and for Palladium within the FCDO Office for Conflict, Stabilisation and Mediation. She has wide country experience, including in Moldova, Ukraine, Montenegro, UAE, Rwanda, Kenya, and Indonesia.
Stephen has an extensive background in security risk management, crisis management and humanitarian operations management from a 23-year operational and director-level career in the United Nations. Prior to joining ILS, Stephen held senior positions for the World Food Programme in the Philippines, Italy, and Pakistan from 2009 to 2019, after being a chief security officer for the United Nations for 13 years.
Jane is a highly experienced security advisor. Following a career in the British Army, Jane moved into Humanitarian action, working with the Halo Trust in Iraq, Somaliland and Myanmar as a Programme Manager, and then as Country Director. She is an immensely knowledgeable and highly personable project manager with strong cross cultural communication skills. She has extensive experience in the delivery of strategic and operational programmes, in high threat environments.
Beth delivers training and supports the development and operations of the ILS training programme. Before joining ILS, Beth worked for a number of INGOs including Comic Relief and the Prince's Trust International in a safety and security capacity. Having previously worked in refugee camps and international development contexts around the world, she has a background in psychosocial support, disaster risk reduction and volunteer management.
Nicola has 15 years experience in programme design, delivery and technical support, including learning and knowledge development - seven of which were spent delivering and advising on humanitarian assistance for complex emergencies in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. Her areas of expertise include child protection in emergencies, human security, gender based violence, mental health and psycho social support and reintegration. Her humanitarian career has seen her working in complex contexts including South Sudan, Iraq, the Sahel, Bangladesh and NE Nigeria to name a few.
Paul is a training officer delivering courses for ILS in the UK. He brings a varied experience to ILS from the British Army, private security roles and the private sector. In his roles, Paul has worked and travelled extensively in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australia/NZ. He is a qualified coach and instructor, having trained people of all backgrounds (including volunteer management) for the past 25 years in hostile environment awareness technical, commercial and recreational diving, and first aid. A proven problem solver, qualified electrician and rugby coach in addition to the above, Paul can address any issue, whilst delivering a professional service, remaining conscious of his audience and their individual needs.
Terry leads on First Aid Training for ILS. He has served in the Fire Service for over 25 years, and is a team leader within the UK’s International Search and Rescue Team.
Imogen delivers our Field Resilience & Stress Management Training; a mental health trainer and qualified therapist specialising in staff welfare and crisis management, she also has extensive experience as a frontline humanitarian responder. Prior to ILS, she carried out frontline humanitarian work in Indonesia, Sudan, Haiti and the Philippines for the UN, and worked for the BBC world Service as a producer and editor. A survivor of burnout and associated conditions herself, she continues to work as a humanitarian consultant and responder alongside her teaching and mental health work.
Rachel is responsible for the administration, logistics and coordination of our global training programme. She has enjoyed a career in administration and holds a degree in Zoology and Ecology.
Naomi provides admin support across the operations and training teams. She trained as a Children’s Social Worker and practised in the UK for a number of years. After starting a family, she has worked in administrative roles in Sussex. An active member of her community, she established a WI for local women, started the first girls football team in their area, has been a guest speaker on personal growth and development, and has been involved in voluntary projects both at home and abroad.
Ruairí supports the training and risk advisory teams with marketing, design, multimedia content creation and face-to-face training support. Prior to joining ILS he worked for the Fonthill Foundation as warehouse and donations manager.
With over 15 years' experience in the operational delivery and management of overseas travel safety and security, Beth has worked in partnership with many humanitarian and environmental NGOs, notably in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia to deliver safe and effective programme visits in complex environments. Beth is an outstanding trainer, and brings a strong understanding of Duty of Care to our team.
Natalie's expertise in safeguarding and gender equality and social inclusion and safeguarding spans a 15-year career working in the international development and humanitarian sectors globally with a particular focus across Africa and Asia. She has worked with a vast range of clients ranging from international NGOs, Foundations, private sector companies, government agencies and bilateral development banks. Natalie has direct experience conducting organisational assessments and providing technical support to address key gaps and risks; developing and setting up safeguarding policies and procedures; delivering safeguarding training; conducting investigations; and developing technical products to support clients to strengthen their ability to implement effective safeguarding measures. She has particular expertise in child safeguarding and safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
Nick has delivered training for ILS in the UK, and recently in Ukraine. He is an adaptable and outgoing security professional with proven experience of leading civilian and military teams through the demanding environments of the UN and Defence at international level. He has experience in policy formulation, stabilisation, programme management, humanitarian affairs, and negotiation. Nick is fluent in French and is an articulate and dynamic communicator, skilled in complex decision-making processes.
Jane delivers security training and supports crisis management training for ILS in the UK. A fluent Russian speaker, she has extensive work experience in law enforcement, police and peacekeeping training, and hostile environment training.
Daniel is a security industry professional with more than 20 years of experience working in support of civilian missions and NGOs in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas in a variety of complex and hostile contexts. Specialising in risk analysis and security training, Daniel regularly contributes to ILS trainings overseas in French and English.