Ben Browne
Summary
Senior advisor to executive leadership and service partners, providing strategic guidance in high-pressure settings. Expertise in balancing security and safety with exceptional customer service, effectively translating complex risks and regulations into actionable strategies. Proven track record in developing security and business continuity frameworks that enhance service delivery and guest trust. Strong financial acumen with oversight of high-value contracts, focusing on performance improvement and service transformation.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Security Advisor (Strategic Lead – Security, Resilience & Business Continuity)
National Gallery, London
London
2018.05 - 2026.02
- Executive lead for protective security, technical security, resilience, and business continuity, delivering board assurance, strategic risk governance, and operational oversight in a complex threat environment.
- Scope & Executive Leadership
- Organisation-wide lead for Security, Technical Security Systems and Business Continuity, setting strategic direction, policy, and operational standards.
- Trusted advisor to the Executive Committee and Board, producing decision-ready board reports, risk assessments, and confidential briefings.
- Provide leadership across internal stakeholders and outsourced partners, embedding a culture of accountability, performance, and continuous improvement.
- Spearheaded the development of enterprise-wide security strategies, defining the governance model, threat and risk assessment approach, accountability framework, and security assurance model.
- Set the strategic operating model for security across Partner Relations and C3i workstreams, directing priority deliverables, timelines, and cross-functional dependencies.
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Experienced leader in luxury hospitality security and operations, delivering high standards of protection while maintaining an exceptional guest experience.
Vetting & Quality Assurance Manager
2016.09 - 2018.05
- Led security vetting, assurance, and quality improvement activity, strengthening compliance, operational resilience, and service standards across a high-profile public organisation.
- Key Impact
- Built robust quality assurance frameworks, driving compliance and continuous improvement across evolving service delivery.
- Identified and delivered business continuity improvements across new and existing processes, increasing operational effectiveness.
- Key Responsibilities
- Oversaw physical and personnel security risk and intelligence assessments to inform proportionate mitigation.
- Reviewed and implemented security policies, plans and testing activity, including exercises and post-incident learning.
- Managed security vetting (venue and personnel), ensuring compliance, audit readiness, and effective governance.
- Led incident management and investigations, ensuring corrective actions were implemented and embedded.
Account Manager
CIS Security Limited
2014.10 - 2016.09
- Commercial and operational lead for a diverse client portfolio, delivering performance excellence, stakeholder confidence, and contract growth.
- Key Achievements
- Consistently delivered 95%+ KPI performance through strong governance, leadership, and service optimisation.
- Exceeded sales targets and improved customer satisfaction through tailored solutions and initiative-taking account development.
- Led outsourcing and transition support for clients, ensuring continuity, stakeholder confidence, and operational stability.
- Key Responsibilities
- Managed a portfolio valued at £10M+ per annum, including client engagement, service delivery, and commercial performance.
- Led on the business growth strategy covering all business and security related services.
- Built high-performing management teams, embedding standards, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Delivered tender submissions including PQQ and ITT documentation and presentations.
- Designed, implemented, and reviewed SLAs, producing executive reporting for multi-level stakeholders.
- Proven track record in driving client satisfaction, retention, and service excellence through initiative-taking engagement and tailored advisory support.
- Skilled in leading cross-functional teams to resolve escalations, improve client journeys, and ensure seamless delivery of services and outcomes.
Skills
- Protective Security Strategy Enterprise Risk & Governance Business Continuity (ISO 22301) Board Reporting & Assurance Outsourced Contract Leadership Supplier Performance & SLA/KPI Governance Budget Ownership Policy & Regulatory Compliance Audit & Inspection Readiness Crisis & Incident Leadership Stakeholder Influence Reputational Risk Management Hybrid Operating Models (Guarding Technology) Transformation & Continuous Improvement
- Personal safety principles
- Threat identification
- Access control principles
Certification
- BCI CBCI Certification
- PECB ISO 22301 Lead Auditor (Training)
- Designated Safeguarding Lead – Safeguarding with Care and Creativity
- UK Advanced GDPR Certification
- Aspire Leadership Programme
- SIA Door Supervisor Licence | SIA CCTV Licence
EXECUTIVE HIGHLIGHTS
- Board and ministerial advisor providing senior security and risk advice, enabling confident decision-making across business operations, event planning and incident management, and ensuring effective responses to emerging threats.
- Experienced in leadership within luxury hospitality.
- Led the end-to-end development of multiple specifications, briefs, and service requirements for major security procurements, managing a number of open tender processes with contract values ranging from £30K to £80M+.
- Delivered strategic client-side and third-party advisory support across sector partners, shaping best-practice security models and strengthening service continuity, retention, and long-term value across existing arrangements.
- Influenced national Protect Duty policy through advisory group involvement focused on crowded places and public spaces.
- Advised and led on security operations for numerous high-profile events, including royal and state visits, Formula One, major sporting events, and the BAFTAs.
- Oversaw and led the reopening programme for the National Gallery’s Bicentenary project, ensuring a world-class visitor experience through seamless operational delivery, stakeholder coordination, and enhanced safety and service standards.
Commercial & Contract Management
- Accountable for outsourced Security and Technical Services contracts (£10M+ annual spend), ensuring delivery against KPIs, SLAs and compliance requirements.
- Lead supplier governance, including performance management, service reviews, escalation control, variation management, and change delivery. Develop and lead a high-performing team within a complex, fast-paced environment.
- Strengthen contract outcomes through improved specifications, assurance regimes and commercial challenge, driving value-for-money and service resilience.
- Senior client liaison leader with extensive experience managing high-value stakeholder relationships and delivering strategic client solutions across complex environments.
- Extensive experience leading national and international security-focused services, with a strong understanding of the complexities of managing diverse expectations across multi-stakeholder environments.
- Proven ability to operate at a national level, aligning security service delivery with strategic objectives, governance requirements, and evolving risk landscapes.
- Skilled in building trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, ensuring confidence, transparency, and consistent performance across high-profile security programmes.
Budget Ownership & Financial Governance
- Own security budgets and financial planning, ensuring strong forecasting, cost control, and strategic investment alignment.
- Led on the business growth strategy covering all visitor, stakeholder, and security related services.
- Build business cases and provide executive-level financial reporting to support risk-based investment and prioritisation.
- Drive efficiency improvements through service redesign, demand management, and supplier optimisation.
- Strong commercial and operational focus, identifying growth opportunities, improving processes, and ensuring consistent performance against KPIs and SLAs.
Risk, Resilience & Assurance
- Lead intelligence-led vulnerability assessments across people, process, and infrastructure, implementing mitigations that protect assets, reputation, and continuity.
- Own business continuity frameworks and recovery planning, strengthening readiness through exercising, scenario planning and lessons learned.
- Direct internal and external audits aligned to Government expectations and recognised best practice, strengthening assurance and compliance.
Timeline
Security Advisor (Strategic Lead – Security, Resilience & Business Continuity)
National Gallery, London
2018.05 - 2026.02
Vetting & Quality Assurance Manager
2016.09 - 2018.05
Account Manager
CIS Security Limited
2014.10 - 2016.09