The Guv’nor – A Quick Profile

As a young boy growing up I was always intrigued and engrossed in watching James Bond films and action war films and spy films. The idea that an individual or group of people could form a “special” team to carry out secret missions and infiltrate enemy locations undetected I found fascinating. I loved the idea that you could be trained as a “spy” and be taught specialist skills and techniques ranging from weapons and unarmed combat to evasive driving skills and parachuting.

I left school at 16 and was intent on joining the Royal Marine Commandos. Unfortunately my Father convinced me to join the Navy as an Artificer which I duly failed the induction for being too young and not mature enough.

The same day I failed the Navy I returned home very despondent and by chance was contacted by my careers officer at school who said that the luxury car maker Aston Martin were recruiting apprentices. Again my Father persuaded me this was an amazing opportunity too good to miss and after passing interviews and tests I started a 4 year apprenticeship in Sept 1983. The fact James Bond drove an Aston certainly helped my decision although my passion was to always join the military.

In the summer of 1984 I was in the first year of my apprenticeship and feeling very disheartened that I wasn’t following my dream of joining the military whilst many of my school friends had passed their military basic training and joining their respective Regiments.

It was then that I heard about the SAS (Special Air Service) having a reserve Regiment that civilians could apply to join albeit very few passed and mostly former Army regular soldiers were being recruited. After visiting a pre-selection vetting at the Sqn HQ and a test at the Regimental Barracks I was duly accepted for Winter Selection Course 1984.

Selection for the SAS was a massive wake-up call and eye opener for a young man of 17 surrounded by former Royal Marines and ex Parachute Regiment guys who had fought in the Falklands War and various other campaigns around the World.

But after a year of training and tests I finally was awarded my winged dagger beret. 36 recruits from my Squadron started the course but only 3 of us passed. Out of a total of nearly 200 recruits starting less than 20 passed. It was a very proud day for me…… and my father who realised how determined I was.

But that was only the start of becoming a Special Forces soldier, further training and courses followed over the next year with parachuting, signals training, LRRPS (Long Range Recconnaisance Patrol School ) , medics and many more until finally I became a “Sabre” soldier and fulkly qualified in the Squadron.

It became impossible to continue with my Apprenticeship with all the courses and training I was doing and so in 1985 I left Aston Martin and continued with my Squadron full time.

Over the next 8 years and carried out various assignments and courses and training all over the World and had the great privilege of working with other Special Forces from different countries such as USA, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Australia , New Zealand but to name a few.

In 1993 I set up a Security and Investigation company specialising in Surveillance and Corporate Fraud. I have provided security and surveillance teams all over the World and carried out surveillance operations on various different people ranging from Terrorists and criminals to politicians and celebrities.

In 2001 I founded the company Spy Games Ltd which is a corporate entertainment company which allows both individuals and corporate clients the chance to enter the exciting world of spies, secret agents and criminals!  We have provided team building days and bespoke training packages for clients from all areas of Industry and travelled to Turkey, Morocco, USA, Europe and the Far East. We have also created events for PR agencies to promote the DVD launch of various movies including Johnny English, Kill Bill, Hurtlocker, Traitor, Taken and Inglorious Basterds. Plus numerous Computer Games launches for PlayStation and Xbox, Call of Duty, Uncharted, Assassins Creed

I continue to run a specialist surveillance company today and also Spy Games which although at completely opposite ends of the spectrum, it allows me to be involved in very sensitive high profile cases but also be very creative and entertaining at the same time!

I use all my experiences to help train and recruit my team, so they can pass on their knowledge, skills and stories to our clients during team building events.

 

To talk about team building please contact our sales team

03338 007 007 or email info@spy-games.com