Norman Taylor M.ISRM
Director
In a world of uncertainty, the right advisor isn't someone who studied risk; it's someone who’s lived it. With over three decades in intelligence, covert operations, and complex insurance structures, I provide strategic solutions to problems most people don't even see coming. Whether you're leading a global company, managing generational wealth, or living a high-exposure lifestyle, I help you see around corners and act decisively.
Lived Risk. Real Insight.
With over three decades of experience at the intersection of Special Risks, Intelligence, and Crisis Response, I’ve operated in some of the world’s most volatile environments, supporting missions for the Secret Intelligence Service, Special Forces, military contractors, global corporations, commercial entities, political risk clients, and High Net Worth individuals.
For 16 years, I was an agent for the Secret Intelligence Service, always on standby to protect lives, assets, and national interests through intelligence and bespoke insurance and crisis solutions, including situations involving terrorism, kidnapping, piracy, and war. My career has taken me from intelligence corridors to war zones, and eventually into the boardrooms of global banks and corporations.
I began my journey as the youngest qualified Credit and Political Risk Advisor with the CIA (The Credit Insurance Association), later achieving senior roles at institutions such as Aon Plc, HSBC, Transamerica, RBS, and Allianz. I’ve specialised in strategic risk advisory, special risks, political risks, credit insurance, invoice finance, and international crisis mitigation, building integrated programs to protect both corporate and government interests.
Today, I use this expertise to consult across corporations, charities, governmental sectors and private clients, delivering advisory services and public speaking, the latter around mental health, trauma recovery, alcohol misuse, and resilience under pressure. I speak openly from lived experience, having faced and rebuilt from personal crises, including the loss of my wife and child, false imprisonment, prison, torture, interrogation, and overcoming addiction.
Author of "HOLDING YOU COVERED" – a political memoir exposing the hidden world of Special Risks, crisis response, the Secret Intelligence Service, and my personal life.
Certified member – Institute of Strategic Risk Management (ISRM)
Trained by: Elite consultancies, banks, intelligence agencies, government departments, and Special Forces (UK & USA)
Advocate for: Mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and trauma-informed leadership
If your organisation faces high-risk exposure, complex crisis dynamics, or seeks leadership under extreme pressure, I bring the insight, discretion, and operational edge to help you navigate it.
Iain McNeil OBE
Principal Consultant & Strategic Advisor
Iain brings a rare blend of distinguished military leadership and high-impact corporate experience to his advisory roles across sectors. With a career spanning elite service in the British Army to C-suite operations in executive search and innovation-led businesses, he continues to drive strategic transformation at the highest levels.
Lived Risk. Real Insight.
Military Leadership & Service
Iain’s early career was shaped by his service in the Coldstream Guards, including two years at the Commando Training Centre with the Royal Marines. He commanded the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, serving during the First Gulf War, and was later promoted to Brigadier, commanding the 1st Brigade at Tidworth. As Director of Personal Services for the Army, he oversaw critical functions such as discipline, pay, welfare, and conditions of service. A member of the Honours and Awards Committee, Iain was awarded an Operational OBE for service in Northern Ireland.
Executive Search & Corporate Strategy
Following military service, Iain transitioned into executive recruitment, beginning as Director of Operations at NBS in London. He went on to serve as Chief of Staff at Odgers International, playing a central role in building the firm into the UK’s leading executive search business, with five regional offices and a global network. His leadership helped scale the company from 20 staff to a market leader in a decade, with a strategic focus on operations, talent, and growth initiatives.
As Chief of Staff at The Miles Partnership, Iain continued driving business expansion before entering management consulting and later joining Stonehaven International.
Current Roles & Board Leadership
Today, Iain serves as Chairman of two commercial start-ups, Director of Choix, and Principal Consultant at Norman Taylor SRA, where he advises on leadership, risk, and strategy across defence, sustainability, and innovation sectors.
Environmental Innovation
A committed environmental advocate, Iain is Chairman of Intelligent Renewables, a circular economy company that transforms non-recyclable plastics and tyres into energy and oil, and manages the recycling and resale of other waste materials including metal, wood, and paper. His leadership here reflects a deep commitment to solving real-world environmental challenges through scalable, sustainable solutions.
Summary
Iain’s career is a testament to the power of discipline, strategic thinking, and transformational leadership. Whether commanding on the battlefield or advising in the boardroom, he brings clarity, resolve, and innovation to every challenge he undertakes.
Darrel Pugh
Partner, Security Risks & Cyber Division
Founded by industry veteran Darrel Pugh, dataRebel brings deep expertise in leading enterprise transformations across SAP, Salesforce, and Oracle ecosystems. With decades of hands-on experience, Darrel understands that achieving IT excellence is a journey, from reactive problem-solving to proactive innovation.
Lived Risk. Real Insight.
dataRebel delivers actionable insights, in-depth diagnostics, and strategic guidance, helping organisations align technology with business goals.
Darrel’s leadership spans:
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Strategy, Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC)
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Product, Project & Vendor Management
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Data & Application Management
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Security, Privacy & Compliance
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IT Infrastructure & Operations
Our bespoke services empower client decision-making through:
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Hands-on support in IT strategy execution
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Strategic and governance advisory
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Data and application health diagnostics
In today’s hyper-connected world, the greatest threats don’t always wear uniforms or carry weapons. They move silently through networks, exploit human psychology, and strike at the blind spots of even the most advanced organisations. At Norman Taylor SRA, our Security Risks & Cyber division, under our partner arrangement with Darrel Pugh, is built to confront this new frontier.
We bring career professionals forged at the sharp end of national and corporate intelligence. With a background spanning government operations, covert surveillance, and private-sector counterintelligence, we understand risk not just as a theoretical concept, but as a lived, evolving battlefield. Our experience allows our team to think like adversaries, act with precision, and deliver layered defence strategies across both digital and physical realms.
Our vision is clear:
To help our clients operate with confidence in a world where trust, truth, and technological resilience are constantly under siege.
We work across three dimensions:
Cyber Intelligence & Pre-Emptive Threat Modelling
– Identifying hostile actors before they act, mapping vulnerabilities others miss, and implementing digital defence architectures that evolve in real time.
Executive & Asset Protection in a Hybrid Threat Landscape
– From cyber-targeted harassment to real-world physical threats, we safeguard key personnel and corporate infrastructure with discretion and precision.
Incident Response & Crisis Recovery
– In moments of chaos, speed matters. Our rapid deployment teams and intelligence networks activate instantly, minimising damage, recovering systems, and restoring reputations.
This is not traditional security. It’s intelligent defence for an era where data is a weapon, and perception can be manipulated with a keystroke.
Whether you’re a global business, a smaller business, a public figure, or a high-net-worth individual, our mission remains the same:
To see the threat before it sees you, and to ensure you’re always one step ahead.
Lee Morris
Partner, Mental Health Trainer & Accredited MHFA England Instructor
Lee is a vital part of our team, serving as our dedicated mental health trainer with a clear mission: to empower individuals and organisations to foster resilience, well-being, and positive change in the workplace. As an accredited MHFA England instructor, Lee brings both professional depth and personal insight to every session he leads.
Lived Risk. Real Insight.
Lee's Story
With over 15 years of experience in Learning and Development, Lee has held senior leadership roles where he gained a comprehensive understanding of the pressures and challenges faced by individuals in demanding professional environments. His career has been defined by a passion for education, empowerment, and well-being, equipping others with the tools they need to thrive.
But Lee’s dedication goes beyond theory. His own lived experience with workplace anxiety and burnout gives him an authentic perspective on the very issues he now helps others address. This personal journey became a turning point, driving his commitment to mental health advocacy and strengthening his resolve to support others on their path to recovery and resilience.
At the heart of Lee’s work is a belief that mental health support should be accessible, practical, and empowering. His training style blends empathy with expertise, creating a safe and supportive learning environment for teams and individuals navigating stress, change, or emotional strain.
Why Lee Makes a Difference
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Accredited MHFA England Instructor
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Accredited Suicide Prevention
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15+ years in leadership and training roles
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Experienced in workplace mental health, stress, and burnout
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Driven by lived experience and genuine empathy
Dilip Krishna MSc
Risk & Investment Intern
Dilip is a dynamic finance professional currently interning with High Risks Insurance, bringing a strong foundation in financial economics, risk assessment, and investment analysis. He holds an MSc in Financial Economics from the University of Manchester and has over three years of hands-on experience in financial modelling, equity research, and M&A analysis across diverse industries.
Lived Risk. Real Insight.
Dilip's Story
In his current role, Dilip supports the advisory team in strategic risk analysis, crisis risk planning, and financial due diligence, applying both technical acumen and industry insight. He has previously worked on high-impact valuation projects, drafted FCA-compliant insurance agreements, and published market research that reached over 20,000 readers.
With a background that spans investment analysis, education, and entrepreneurship, Dilip combines analytical precision with real-world business understanding. He is also a certified Bloomberg ESG and BMC professional with skills in Excel, R, Power BI, and financial modelling.
Dilip is passionate about finance, sustainability, and the future of risk intelligence, making him a valuable contributor to our team and a promising talent in the industry.
Why Dilip makes a difference
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Sharp Analytical Mindset – Dilip brings strong financial modelling and risk analysis skills that support complex risks and advisory projects.
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Real-World Investment Insight – His equity research and M&A exposure enhance our client intelligence and sector monitoring.
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FCA Compliance Awareness – With hands-on experience drafting compliant agreements, he helps uphold regulatory standards.
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Versatile & Reliable – From data analysis to document preparation, he steps into diverse tasks with precision and accountability.
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Entrepreneurial Thinking – His background as a co-founder adds commercial awareness and strategic thinking to our operations.
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Positive Team Energy – Dilip’s curiosity, professionalism, and willingness to learn enrich the collaborative culture of our firm.