Assist Security Group (ASG) has appointed Dylan Hartley, former England rugby captain, as a Non-Executive Director and Performance Lead at its subsidiary, ASG Protect.
ASG reports that Hartley brings experience in elite performance from his time as England rugby’s most capped hooker and as captain (2016 to 2019), with an 85 per cent win rate. Troy Hewitt, CEO of ASG, said: “Dylan is working with Jonathan Thomas, a partner at ASG Protect and a former Royal Marine; Jonathan’s military background and understanding of high-pressure environments complement Dylan’s elite sports experience, creating a powerful combination of skills and knowledge.
“This initiative will drive innovation and excellence in security management and training. Security teams face a range of complex and demanding security challenges, requiring a proactive, adaptable and resilient approach. By leveraging new perspectives and experiences from sports, the military and commerce, we aim to set new benchmarks in the industry for effective security to protect people, physical assets and brands.”
ASG Protect’s clients include Arbor, a sustainable workspace on London’s South Bank, Bonhams auction house, the London Eye observation wheel, and the Londoner Hotel. Hartley and Thomas will deliver ASG’s ‘6-Point Framework’, which focuses on ‘People, Partnership, Protection, Prevention, Presentation, and Planning’, as what the firm terms a comprehensive and tailored approach to security.
Dylan Hartley said: “I am delighted to join ASG and contribute to the mission of providing a new standard in security protection performance. I believe that the principles of elite performance can significantly help the security industry. I look forward to working with the talented team at ASG to deliver exceptional results for security service users.”
Thomas says that the elite performance principles the ASG team is using include:
– Pressure training: Exposing teams to stressful situations during training to elevate their default response under real pressure.
– Mental health support: ASG is partnering with PTSD Resolution to provide Trauma Awareness Training for Employers (TATE), equipping team leaders with the skills to support staff following critical incidents.
– Simplicity and focus: Communicating clear, concise messages and reinforcing them constantly to help security teams execute with precision and to adapt to changing circumstances.
– Intelligent preparation: Investing in understanding a client and the venue or event’s specific risk profile to develop tailored strategies.
