CTSS Awards Judges

Mike Bluestone MA CSyP FSyI - Chairman - The Security Institute

Mike is the Director of Security Consulting for Corps Security. He is a Fellow and current Chairman of the Security Institute. Mike is an experienced Security Consultant and trainer and has over forty published articles on Security related issues.

He has a Masters degree in Security Management awarded by Loughborough University and is an associate of the University’s Business School Security facility. Mike is a Chartered Security Professional, and a member of the Chartered Security Professionals Registration Authority.

He has served in the military both in the UK and overseas and provides advice and guidance on Counter Terrorism, Political Extremism and Crime Prvention to public and private sector organisations.

Mr Robert de la Poer - Co-founder - Albany Media

Robert de la Poer is a journalist specialising in defence, homeland security and counter-terrorism. Having studied at Cardiff University’s acclaimed School of Journalism, Robert worked as a reporter on such titles as Defence International, Naval Power, NBC International, Security and Protection Technology, CBRNe World and Resilience. In 2005 he was appointed editor of Resilience before moving to intersec in 2006.

During his five years as editor of intersec, the magazine has affirmed its place as the world’s leading journal of international security and counter terrorism, and has been praised for its insightful editorial coverage and comprehensive approach to the security paradigm.

In early 2009 Robert co-founded publishing house Albany Media which now publishes intersec.

Chris Phillips GCGI Fsyl, International Protect and Prepare Security Office and former Head - National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO)

Chris is the founder and Managing Director of the International Protect and Prepare Security Office. He started the company after thirty years as a Police officer. He has extensive policing experience in both Public order and community based policing. This included event commander for major sporting events and concerts at Twickenham Stadium. During his service he has experience of commanding events such as Wimbledon tennis. As a public order commander he led teams at many hundreds of public order and security events across London.

A very experienced Police Security Co-ordinator (SECCO). In this role he co-ordinated the Counter Terrorist security for visits to the UK from foreign governments and dignitaries. His specialism however is in the field of strategic Counter terrorism advice and best practice. As Head of the National Counter Terrorism Security Office he had three major responsibilities within the United Kingdom.

The protection of Crowded Places within the UK and to reduce the vulnerability of British nationals overseas from the terrorist threat to crowded places and soft targets.
Protecting hazardous sites and dangerous substances. His team worked with the business community to make the terrorist acquisition of weapons more difficult, there-by reducing the likelihood of a successful attack on the UK.
Supporting the CPNI to Protect the UK’s Critical National Infrastructure.

He was responsible for training, accrediting, tasking and co-ordinating over 250 Counter Terrorism Security Advisers across the UK.

Within this role he developed National Strategies for these work streams and especially for the protection of Crowded Places where NaCTSO are acknowledged as world leaders. Some of the training and awareness programmes he has instigated are known worldwide. For example:

Project ARGUS
Know Your Customer
Secure in the Knowledge
The WRAP programme
Counting the Cost and the
Vulnerability Self Assessment Tool (VSAT)

He is one of the few people who can say they are a consultant, speaker and recognised Industry expert and mean it. His speaking typically includes 30 plus keynote speeches a year at major conferences in the UK and abroad. He has written many articles for magazines and is frequently quoted in the newspapers and media.

Chris is a fellow of the Security Institute.

Mr Chris Holt MBE - Consulting Director - Aon Risk Solutions

Chris Holt MBE is the Consulting Director at Aon Crisis Consulting. He works with clients who are exposed to risks from terrorism, political risks, and employee security issues, including kidnap for ransom and extortion. Chris provides technical leadership on the delivery of risk management solutions to global clients; allowing Aon to accurately represent a client’s risk to the insurance market.

During his first career as an Officer in the Royal Engineers, Chris served primarily in the field of security and counter terrorism; including bomb disposal, high risk search and unit security appointments. He has a detailed technical understanding of CBRNE threats, and organizational resilience planning. Since leaving the Army in 2005, Chris has been employed predominantly in consulting and special risks management.

Ms Kerry Underhill - Senior Procurement Manager - Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA)

Kerry has been a Senior Procurement Manager at the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) for 3 years, having worked for CLM, the ODA’s Delivery Partner, for 1.5 years prior to that.

She is responsible for an array of Procurements but specialises in Security as the category lead, Transport and Professional Services.

She is a full member of CIPS and is an essential part of the ODA’s award winning team - Best Public Procurement and Overall Winners 2011. Key to receiving such an accolade was the ODA’s ability to embody all of its Priority Themes into its procurement process, assessing not only Cost, Quality and Delivery but also Equality & Diversity, Sustainability, Legacy and Health & Safety, selecting the right partners to deliver at all levels in the Supply Chain.

She began her career with BAE Systems in 2003, following an honours degree in Business Administration at Cardiff University. Having worked in many areas of the company, she opted to spend the majority of her time working as a Project Procurement Manager on FALCON, a secure communications system for the UK MoD.

She has lived all round the UK and now lives in south west London. She travels extensively, is a keen sportswoman and enjoys outdoor activities.