Our team are passionate about what we do, and experts in protecting people, property and places from harm.

Rory McGoldrick

CEO

A security industry professional with more than two decades’ experience in the sector, Rory has worked at all levels within the sector, from stewarding to registered security professional. He established the SAFECROWDS Academy as a training provider to the sector in 2017 and, along with the rest of the leadership team, has grown the company to the integrated security and counter terrorism provider it is today.

Rory was amongst the first UK security professionals to become SIA licensed, having previously held multiple local authority licenses. He has worked across a wide variety of sectors, both in the UK and overseas, including luxury retail and hospitality, close protection, manned guarding, stadium security and protection of a wide variety of environments, from national embassies to corporate offices.

Rory’s crowd management and event security experience includes major events, such as the London Olympics and the Olympic torch relay, looking after a national football club during a major tournament, and security for national stadiums and Premier League football clubs. He has also worked as a security consultant for major tournaments and events in various countries including Germany, Ireland, and Azerbaijan.

Rory holds numerous security industry qualifications and is a certified K9 explosives detection dog handler. He is currently undertaking a UADip in Counter Terrorism Risk Management at the University of Cumbria.

Vicki Hearn

Operations Director

Vicki has more than 20 years of experience in the security sector, including both leading teams during deployments and planning and implementing security strategies.

After working as door security for a number of small venues, Vicki became first door supervisor, then head door, then security manager for an iconic 1,625-capacity nightclub in London, leading a large team.

Vicki also has a proven record in running the security deployments for major events, such as large festivals, the 2012 London Olympics, the late Queen’s funeral, and the King’s coronation. She has also worked in close protection roles, including taking care of a princess from one of the Gulf states.

Trained in Judo, Vicki is certified as a Door Supervisor and has a Level 3 qualification in Spectator Safety, and a Level 5 qualification in Crowd Safety and Applied Crowd Science. She has a BIPDT Level 2 dog handler qualification and is a certified K9 explosives detection dog handler.

Steve Faye

COO

A management professional with a proven track record of managing teams, delivering operational excellence, and customer-oriented service delivery, Steve has worked for leading global brands in the UK and Internationally.

Steve joined SAFECROWDS in 2023, having previously been involved with the company as both a consultant and a client. Taking a service-led approach to developing the SAFECROWDS business in collaboration with the other directors, Steve has drawn on his background in retail and luxury brands to nurture a company culture and industry-leading processes that set SAFECROWDS apart. The result is an industry re-defining approach to security and counter terrorism that prioritises the people who work for us, as well as the people we work for.

Steve has completed various training courses with the SAFECROWDS Academy, and is first-aid and ACT trained, with Level 3 spectator safety certification.

Jonathan Neal

Head of Risk & Counter Terrorism

Jonathan is specialist in counter terrorism services, with a background in both the police and the military.

Following a degree in criminology and criminal law, which included a dissertation on intelligence failings in the run up to 9/11, Jonathan trained at Sandhurst and spent two years in the army, before working in the Counter Terrorism Intelligence Unit at Sussex Police and then in Specialist Operations at the Met.

Jonathan’s career prior to joining SAFECROWDS also includes working as a CTSA (Counter Terrorism Security Advisor) covering the Thames Valley region, advising on security for crowded places and Critical National Infrastructure.

NaCTSO (National Counter Terrorism Security Office) and NPSA (National Protective Security Authority) trained, Jonathan is also an AET-qualified trainer with SCaN (See, Check and Notify) and ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) training experience.

Wayne Gell

Head of Canine Training & Operations

Wayne brings over 20 years of dog handling experience to SAFECROWDS, honing both his expertise and craft in the armed forces and private sector roles.

Wayne’s background includes 11 years as a British Army dog handler with three operational tours in Afghanistan. Additionally, he has served as an instructor and trainer for the arms explosive search courses at the Defence Animal Training Regiment and works as a NASDU trainer with Inter K9 Limited, the first UK private company known for training drug detection dogs to identify date rape substances.

At SAFECROWDS, Wayne oversees all aspects of K9 training and operations. His responsibilities include ensuring our dog handling teams are proficient, performing at their best and up to date with their continuous training to identify explosives, pyrotechnics, and drug detection. Wayne’s dedication to using real scents in training guarantees our dogs are thoroughly prepared to detect real world threats, while maintaining the highest standards of performance and reliability in our K9 units.

Don’t see a role that’s relevant to you? Upload your CV below and be the first to hear about future vacancies at SAFECROWDS.