Our People

As the Agency’s founder and MD, Harry’s core responsibilities include: negotiating new projects, settling MOUs, providing specialist training advice, delivering advice and expertise on investigative operations and directing covert investigations for future prosecutions, conducting project management visits, and delivering training as and when required across all active projects.

Bio brief: Harry served with the 45 Commando Royal Marines and 22nd Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment operating worldwide. He has vast experience in the commercial security world and has maintained a lifelong interest in wildlife, protected area management and indigenous peoples. Since leaving the military he has been involved in international anti-poaching operations and people trafficking investigations in Africa, Asia and Europe. He has undertaken kidnap and ransom training, private security detachment work, and instructional roles in a wide range of disciplines. A mountaineer of note, he is qualified as a high alpine mountain guide (IFMGA) and continues to lead regular mountain adventures. Harry completed the first traverse of the ‘Pinnacles’ on Mount Everest’s ENE Ridge with Russell Brice in 1988, and summited Everest without supplementary oxygen in 1993. A former instructor at the King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Center (KASOTC) Harry has trained counter-terrorism and special operations forces. As founder of the Agency, Harry has realised his vision and used his considerable expertise to bring about the best outcomes in anti-poaching projects and illegal wildlife trade (IWT) investigations in Hong Kong, DR Congo, Zambia, Lesotho, South Africa and Swaziland (Eswatini) for the Agency.

As co-founder, Pete’s core responsibilities include: Overseeing the day-to-day operational, administrative, and development functions of the Agency. Creating and implementing an investigation strategy for criminal groups operating at the target end of the spectrum, conducting project management visits and creating content to raise awareness on organised wildlife crime, and seeking UK funding.

Bio brief: Pete is an award-winning journalist specialising in the wildlife management sector and is an active conservation campaigner. He has operated in an infiltration and fixer capacity for various international media and other agencies, focusing on wildlife crime and trafficking. A former freelancer, he has worked on and alongside the international security circuit worldwide on anti-poaching operations and other sensitive cross-border assignments. In an investigative capacity, he has covered serious wildlife crime in mainland Europe, Africa, and the Far East. Pete is the former Editor-in-Chief of the monthly journals Sporting Rifle and Modern Gamekeeping, an active columnist at various other periodicals, and a prolific book author with several published titles. A forthright spokesman, he is often featured on television, radio, and other multi-media outlets, highlighting conservation concerns and sustainable use of wildlife to protect species and preserve vulnerable habitats. As co-founder, Pete has put his life and soul into bringing about momentum for the Agency within the conservation sector. He has provided anti-poaching solutions and delivered investigations into the illegal wildlife trade (IWT) in Norway, the UK, Hong Kong, Swaziland (Eswatini), Lesotho, Botswana, South Africa, Zambia, Cameroon, and DR Congo.

As the Agency’s CFO, Brian is responsible for the oversight and review of the Agency’s accounts, accounting practices, forecasts, audits, income and spend, ensuring all financial processes are transparent, sound, and adhere to good governance practices. He works closely with the CEO and COO to develop financial plans in line with project growth.

Bio brief: Brian joined ESPA in 2020, after having begun his career in finance with NatWest back in 1983 as part of the Management Development Programme. He worked in a number of branches over his first two years, and then moved to Lincoln where he became the bank’s Liaison Officer for the Royal Air Force at RAF College Cranwell. His passion for all things aviation saw him gain his Private Pilot’s Licence in 1990 and commission in to the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserves (Training) branch in 1993 as a Pilot Officer. He steadily rose through the ranks, taking a senior staff post as Squadron Leader in 2006 and was promoted to Wing Commander in 2008, a post he still holds today. Following his time in Lincoln, he moved to Sheffield and joined the Corporate Banking Division managing large blue-chip companies. He was headhunted for the Regional Office in Leeds, where he was appointed to the Lending Department. After six happy years he moved to Scarborough as Senior Manager, then moved over to the bank’s specialised division as Regional Agricultural Manager, and was then promoted to Director for Agriculture. He became a NatWest Director in 2014, a role he enjoyed until his early retirement in 2018.

Rob’s responsibilities focus on helping ESPA to strengthen existing projects and partnerships and develop new initiatives that deliver results, adapt to the evolving context, and maximise opportunities to contribute to achieving broader conservation outcomes and impact.

Bio brief: Rob has spent the past 20 years supporting the design, implementation, and evaluation of biodiversity conservation and natural resource management projects worldwide, focusing on conservation area management, land use planning, and natural resource-based enterprises. Initiatives he has worked on include: developing certification and quality control systems for agroecological production for an award-winning smallholder organic farmers association in Costa Rica; designing and piloting a theory of change evaluation methodology for the Global Environment Facility; coordinating and writing PA management plans and best practice manuals for East African wildlife authorities and partners; creating national conservation area networks and revising wildlife and tourism policies in South Sudan and Afghanistan; overseeing day-to-day operations and management in Niassa Reserve in Mozambique; and most recently, advising on the strategic and institutional development and fundraising for the management of Upemba & Kundelungu National Parks Complex in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

As Chief of Staff, Nicola manages key projects, oversees operations, and co-ordinates project teams, budgets, and reporting across a wide range of conservation initiatives. She acts in an advisory capacity to the board and COO, ensuring strong internal communication and converting strategy into action plans. Her role includes delivering a wide variety of functions, including but not limited to liaison, information management, and process design.

Bio brief: Before joining ESPA, Nicola worked in publishing and is experienced in editing multiple media, including magazines, books, and video content. She joined ESPA initially as a freelancer providing office support and has grown with the Agency as it has expanded its footprint over a number of years. Nicola has operated on the ground as an intelligence collector and/or analyst in South Africa, Eswatini, Norway, and the DR Congo, and provided information management advice and support on projects in Malawi and Zimbabwe. Her unique experience in conservation intelligence lends a valuable perspective to ESPA’s project planning and she works closely with the COO to assess and manage risk in this arena. Ever adaptable, she brings a wealth of organisational and information management experience, people skills, plus spoken and written communication abilities to ESPA’s day-to-day operational, investigative, and administrative functions, supporting a diverse range of ESPA’s operations.

Hannah contributes to ESPA’s investigations by supporting diverse intelligence needs across both human and digital domains. Her current areas of expertise include African predator species and marine mammals, with a particular focus on cetaceans. Her responsibilities encompass intelligence analysis, conducting interviews, and presenting ESPA’s projects for broadcast.

Bio brief: Before joining ESPA, Hannah served as a research officer in Hong Kong, specialising in wildlife trafficking across Southeast Asia. Her responsibilities included analysing established illicit trade routes, assessing demand for specific species, and developing cases to classify wildlife crime as serious and organised under Hong Kong law. Following her tenure in Hong Kong, Hannah earned an MA in Investigative Journalism with Distinction, during which she honed investigative techniques, source analysis, and communication skills. As ESPA’s lead reporter, Hannah gathers open-source intelligence to support investigations, conducts interviews, and presents ESPA’s award-winning documentaries.

Bill’s core responsibilities include: assisting the Agency with personnel recruitment, qualifying references, settling contracts with contractors and managing their progress, assisting in investigations by providing experts in forensic science, risk assessments as needed, and seeking funding from UK sponsors.

Bio brief: Bill is a former British military specialist electronics and communications engineer and UK Special Forces soldier with the 22nd Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment; he has a comprehensive understanding of technology, communications, counter-terrorism, training for foreign governments, liaison skills, and crisis planning and response. On leaving the military, he was responsible for designing, implementing and managing security strategies and crisis response plans for IOCs, pharmaceuticals, news and print media, and a variety of international corporate sectors in a wide range of locations across Africa, the Middle East, and South America. Direct operational support in a crisis has been a feature of his company, Pilgrims Group, of which Bill is the founder and Managing Director. Pilgrims Group has won many awards for its unique and innovative training techniques. Bill has identified a number of new projects for worthy conservation causes and is bringing his unique skills to bear to ensure they get the best quality services they need and deserve. Bill has provided remote operational support  to ground teams on several projects.

As Global Operational Risk and Resilience Advisor, Ben’s role is to monitor the security situation worldwide, paying particular attention to the geographies in which ESPA is active. This means assessing threats in real-time across all risk categories to keep ESPA and project partner personnel safe. He manages project risk assessments and implements effective mitigation measures to ensure all staff working in remote and hostile environments are fully informed and prepared in the event of a security incident, ensuring the safety and continuity of operations globally.

Bio brief: Ben has nearly two decades of security experience in the public and private sectors. This includes a 12-year career in the Parachute Regiment, which included operational tours of Afghanistan. After achieving career distinctions and operational commendations, Ben left the military as a Senior NCO. Having assisted and volunteered for ESPA from the Agency’s start-up, Ben joined full-time in 2018 and was involved in operations and investigations worldwide. Ben was promoted to Chief Instructor and continued his instructional career training rangers in varied environments across sub-Saharan Africa, including Eswatini, Zambia, and the DRC. He assessed the operational needs and designed training plans to suit each protected area’s unique threats and landscapes. He developed long-term training strategies that prioritised broader education and local empowerment to ensure capability growth beyond the term of ESPA’s involvement to leave a lasting legacy. At the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine, Ben moved across to the private security sector as the country risk manager for a global media company. He now works for a multinational media corporation managing risk across the Asia Pacific region and Africa. His work involves creating and assisting in strategically implementing risk mitigation and security measures to safely navigate complex regulatory environments and emerging physical and digital threats. Ben remains at the forefront of the ever-evolving global security landscape, constantly adapting to emerging threats and technologies. His dedication to creating secure environments and his commitment to excellence make him an invaluable supporting asset in safeguarding ESPA personnel and operations.

As Project Development Director, Barry supports ESPA projects from conception to completion, advising on all aspects of project design and implementation. His long experience in security and management enables him to provide risk management perspectives and solutions for a variety of project risk categories, including but not limited to political, financial, operational, logistical and organisational risks.

Bio brief: Barry’s military service began life with the 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment and then continued for 18 years with 22nd Special Air Service Regiment. His time with the Regt is best described as wide ranging, and Barry conducted operations worldwide including training of other nations’ special forces and security services.
After leaving the military he went to work for an UK oil major as a security advisor, during which time he obtained a degree in geophysics and spent two years on 2D and 3D seismic crews. This was a varied job that enabled him to gain extensive knowledge of the oil and gas industry operations and business practices.
After the period on seismic crews Barry then went back to security as project manager for an element of the US state department responsible for the reconstruction of Iraq. During this time he controlled approximately 16 teams deployed across the whole of the country.
Following his time in Iraq Barry returned to the oil and gas industry, working for the same UK major, as security director for Algeria and Libya. This time his responsibilities were expanded to include managing the North Africa region Emergency Response and Crisis Management function embedded at business unit level. Barry has been involved as security and crisis manager within corporate crisis management teams responding to a number of high-profile major incidents. Barry brings his wide-ranging skills acquired from his extensive military, security and business careers to support ESPA’s project operations.

Scriv is responsible for developing operating policies and compliance, conducting Training Needs Analyses for new partners, assisting with training proposals, and designing bespoke training programmes to meet the partner organisation’s needs in the protected area. He also directs training quality control to the highest current industry standards. Working with the Head of Training, Scriv supports active project Chief Instructors.

Bio brief: Scriv accrued 30 years of military experience within the Parachute Regiment having joined the Regiment straight from school as a private soldier, rising through the ranks, commissioning and reaching the rank of Major. As well as serving on numerous operational tours with distinction, he has worked as a jungle warfare instructor, tracking instructor, and arctic warfare instructor, as well as being SERE qualified. He has completed appointments as the Regimental Careers Management Officer (RCMO) overseeing two Tranches of Redundancy, Motor Transport Officer (MTO), Quartermaster (Technical), Quartermaster (Maintenance). As the Quartermaster and senior logistics manager he was responsible for the planning, co-ordination and monitoring of re-supply to 1,500 troops by road, sea and air in areas as varied as the UK, US, EU and Africa, among others. Exclusively responsible for all aspects of supply and equipment over the value of £100 million – covering food, clothing, munitions, weapons, vehicles and specialist equipment. Scriv has extensive operational and home base experience in career management, Health, Safety and Environmental Protection (HS&EP) including fire. Scriv ensures safe working in a sector that requires extensive collaboration to achieve the end result, measuring safe practice against the ESPA training imperative. His extensive experience allows him to recognise hazardous training and risk to life activities, allowing management and controls to be put in place to make certain the risks from harm remain As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP) for our training teams, our training audience and the local populace.

Richard develops and oversees training content and doctrine for bespoke training programmes, manages all training material, and directs training to uphold ESPA’s high standards. Richard works with the Head of Policy and Compliance and all active project Chief Instructors. He ensures that training is relevant, practical, and in line with the partner’s intent and delivered with the professionalism on which ESPA prides itself. He is continually finessing our modular training systems to provide enduring training solutions for protected area management.

Bio brief: After a long and successful military career, starting as a private soldier and reaching the rank of Major where he was responsible for 156 soldiers within his unit, Richard has turned his numerous skills and expertise to wildlife conservation training. He rose through the ranks rapidly and has worked in diverse and dynamic environments throughout his time in the military. Richard has extensive training and instructing experience from positions in Malawi, Belize, Kenya, Panama, and Afghanistan. While in Malawi, he acted as the Illegal Wildlife Trade Officer Commanding and trained a 28-man army team on countering the poaching of endangered wildlife. Richard’s hearts and minds approach, combined with his understanding of problem solving, leadership, and ability to manage the interests of all partners makes him an invaluable member of the EPSA team. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his role.

As Head of Law Enforcement, Ed’s primary role is to ensure that ESPA’s conservation law enforcement training and investigations into the illegal wildlife trade are delivered effectively and according to best practices and international human rights standards. Ed works with ESPA’s department heads to ensure enduring training outcomes and case-built investigation strategies that will stand scrutiny. Mitigating reputational risk for ESPA and partners is a crucial tenet of Ed’s law enforcement strategy development and advisories.

Ed is a former Senior Police Officer with a 28-year law enforcement career with the London Metropolitan Police and Royal Military Police, reaching the rank of Detective Chief Inspector. During this time, Ed covered all aspects of law enforcement, focusing on compliance and human rights, team management, and law enforcement strategy. Experienced in devising collection plans and investigation strategies that ensure all evidential opportunities are covered; Ed has managed teams of over 60 people in complex, technical investigations and operated as a senior trainer and mentor, regularly presenting at UK police and security services courses and international police forces. He has a long perspective and a deep understanding of various national and international law enforcement agencies’ practices, enabling him to effectively assess processes and mitigate risk. Ed has developed training courses for governments, led covert joint operations, and is experienced in using various collection techniques, including covert human intelligence sources and technical assets.

Bio brief: Martin served as a commissioned officer in the HM 3rd Battalion Parachute Regiment and gained operational experience in the Middle East. Martin was injured while leading his men in combat, receiving gunshot wounds to the chest and foot. These injuries paralysed his right arm and ended his military career. Martin then turned to elite sport and represented Great Britain in the Paralympic World Championships, competing in downhill ski racing. He was then asked to develop teams of injured servicemen to take on world record attempts. In 2011 as part of the Adaptive Grand Slam, he walked, unsupported, to the Geographic North Pole. In 2012, he climbed Mount Manaslu (8,163m) and Mount McKinley, and led a team on Mount Everest to 8,848m. Seven years later in May 2019 he successfully summited Everest on his second attempt. During the interim, he also summited Mount Elbrus, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Mt Aconcagua; completing five of the seven summits. Martin currently assists elite sport teams to develop their leadership skills, drawing from a range of experience with elite military units, sport and expedition teams. Martin is developing the Agency’s strategy for wounded ex-veterans as an ongoing project. He is extremely well connected in the veterans’ charities community, where he has considerable credibility in this sensitive area. It goes without saying, this is something very close to his heart. Martin has been actively involved in managing anti-poaching solutions in Zambia and DR Congo.

CK’s core advisories include: assisting with the implementation of a fundraising strategy in the United States, developing individual campaigns for project sponsorship, and developing a case-building strategy to raise investigations into criminal groups operating at the consumption end of the spectrum.

Bio brief: CK is a former US Marine Corps team leader and Close Quarters Battle instructor. Later, he joined the Dekalb County Police Department (Atlanta, USA) and served as a patrol officer, a detective in the Robbery-Homicide Unit, a sniper team leader on the SWAT Team, and as commander in the Vice and Permits Unit. CK earned over 20 commendations for actions in the line of duty. He worked on a close protection detail for the regional US Ambassador in Basra and as General David Pertraeus’ Security Manager at the Multi-National Security Transition Command in Baghdad, Iraq. He was selected to assist in opening the world’s premier Counter Terrorism Training Centre (King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Centre) in Jordan. He developed the Business and Operations sections and ultimately held the position of Acting Deputy Director. CK was instrumental in building KASOTC’s reputation as a centre of excellence and establishing an international network of clients for this $200 million facility. CK was key in creating ESPA’s presence in the U.S. and successfully worked towards creating extensive relations with San Diego-based conservationists to highlight ESPA’s mission, achievements, and unique capacities.

As Senior Researcher, Amber is responsible for collecting information relevant to ESPA’s projects and operational areas. Her duties include monitoring risks to species and the political challenges that affect wildlife conservation in the regions where ESPA operates. She identifies leads, collates and evaluates evidence, and interviews subject matter experts. Amber also conducts project-specific research to inform and raise public awareness, as well as to support conservation security solutions.

Bio brief: Amber has joined ESPA on a gap year while pursuing a degree in criminology. Her keen interest in wildlife conservation is supported by a history of fundraising and volunteering in the charity sector, which has continued throughout her educational commitments. She is an accomplished sportswoman at a national level, a musician, and a Royal Marines cadet with a passion for mountaineering, winter sports, and coalface conservation initiatives, particularly focused on rhinos and whales. Amber has had an active presence on the ground in Eswatini supporting training interventions, and is the research lead on ESPA’s minke whale protection project, currently investigating the Norwegian whaling fleet.

Rebel’s core responsibilities include the maintenance of office morale and keeping the in-house team fit on long hikes on the cliffs. She also oversees regular treat breaks and grades visitors on their belly rubs. 

Bio brief: Rebel is allegedly a wolf dog (according to the records, though she does display some characteristics that call the accuracy of those records into question) that has spent her entire career at ESPA, carving out her own role in the corner of the office right next to the radiator. She is a keen peregrine spotter, assists on project deployments by inspecting all outgoing kit and equipment, and helps Gemma maintain ESPA records by getting in the way of the filing cabinet.

It is with great sadness that we lost our indomitable CIO to cancer on 20th January 2021. Smithy fought the disease with the same determination he tackled Everest and other 8,000 meter mountains. He continued to work on field projects in remote areas in DR Congo despite being in much discomfort, and never lost any of the infectious Smithy optimism and humour that all who met him admired greatly. No one loved life more than Mike. He wouldn’t want us to mourn but rather celebrate his friendship, and remarkable achievements in mountaineering, 10 Battalion The Parachute Regiment, human rights, and wildlife protection. A top bloke, husband, and father who inspired us all. RIP

Bio brief: Mike worked in North Africa for over 20 years in security and management roles for major multinational oil and gas companies. As Algiers Liaison Manager for a UK major, he managed the risk reporting and analysis for Algeria, working closely with the British, French, and US embassies. As Libya Security Manager after the Arab Spring, he managed a team of security operators in a complex and constantly changing environment. He had extensive experience in complex frontier environments, leading mountaineering expeditions in Asia. Mike led or co-led 16 expeditions in the Greater Ranges and Alaska, summiting Everest from both the North and South sides, and climbing on K2 and other 8,000m peaks. Mike was awarded a LLM from the University of London, with a specialism in International Dispute Resolution, and a BSc from the LSE specialising in politics and international relations. He has completed courses in human security and conflict resolution at the IGS in Geneva. He was a member of the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, from 2000 until his early death in 2021. Mike served for nine years in 10 PARA(V), a UK reserve forces unit, and was Recce Platoon Sgt for his last two years. He deployed on exercises to Germany, where he also attended the Long Range Recce Patrol School, Cyprus, the US, and Nepal. Mike has provided on-the-ground project management and operational support to projects in Swaziland (Eswatini), DR Congo, Botswana, and South Africa.

Matt lost his life in a tragic mountaineering accident on Tuesday 2 February 2021. Caught in an avalanche when hiking a route on Bear Mountain, near Chugiak, Alaska, Matt and two friends sadly perished. Matt was an inspirational role model to his ESPA teammates on both sides of the Atlantic. Massively popular, his considered thought process – often coupled with dry humour – and his tenacity in the face of what might seem to most insurmountable odds, set a standard to all around him. An accomplished mountaineer, soldier, special forces operator, intelligence officer, and security specialist, he achieved a lot in a life tragically cut short. He will be remembered as an outstanding father, husband, and friend who would always make time to share his skills and was ever on hand to support the good guys. RIP

Bio brief: Matt Nyman was dedicated to countering the Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) and has supported ESPA investigative operations on the ground in Southern and Eastern Africa. Matt brought a wealth of experience, a specialist skill-set, and immense drive to deliver ESPA’s mission. He was a former Counter Terrorism and Emergency Management exercise planner and exercise control director for the Department of Defense. He has led multi-national, inter-agency whole-of-government exercise planning and execution of nuclear weapon-related events, and large-scale counter terrorist attacks. Matt also worked for U.S. Northern Command (beginning in 2011) as a senior operations officer and the Chief Operations Officer (COO) during the COO’s absence in Mexico, leading strategic transformation with the Government of Mexico. His team succeeding in adding career fields within Mexico’s military and integrating Mexico’s federal police, military, judicial, and intelligence agencies into a single, and cohesive team to fight illicit activity and organised crime within Mexico. Matt also led the training and conduct of fusing multi-source intelligence. He was well versed in the synchronization of intelligence and operations in order to disrupt Violent Extremist Organizations, Organised Crime Cartels, and other serious threat networks. Matt spent 12 years on active duty with the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, with his final four years in Delta Force.

One of the ESPA originals, ‘Papa Yann’ joined the instructing team for ESPA’s first project in the DRC in 2016 and had been with us ever since. He proved himself an ever-adaptable, reliable, and unflappable teammate despite what were often challenging conditions. He dealt with everything from scorpions in the shower block to deadfall damage to accommodation to getting stranded in the jungle during Covid-related shutdowns with his signature Gallic stoicism and dry humour. No job was too big or too small, and he used his extensive experience and practical mindset to take on additional roles as fleet manager, mechanic, armourer, welder, tree surgeon, builder, security infrastructure advisor – whatever was needed in the remote and risky project environments in which he worked. He passed away on 16 May 2023 and will be missed by all who knew him. RIP

Bio brief: Yann served for most of his career in the French Foreign Legion, covering land-based and maritime postings before finishing in the position of Patrol Leader for the military police, where he worked in site security and personnel protection roles alongside the regular police and gendarmes. He retired from the military and held several postings in the security industry, including armed escort, site protection, risk management and consulting, and anti-piracy roles. He joined ESPA in 2016 and worked across several projects in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Africa as an instructor, investigator, and site security advisor.

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