Meet The Team

Tony Norton - Managing Director

Managing Director of Lead Element Security Group with over 26 years of experience in military, hostile, and commercial security. Tony specialises in strategic leadership, risk management, and tailored security protocols. He has a proven track record of improving safety and efficiency through innovative security solutions and a commitment to service excellence.

Mo Alin - Director

An experienced operator in hostile environments. Now a business owner with 26 years of combined military and security experience. Mo is the lead business developer with a strong understanding of detailed security strategies for A-List celebrities, government officials, and overseas dignitaries.

George Scott - Operations Director

George is a strategic leader in the global security and training industry with over 20 years of experience in military and private sector operations. His career began in the British Army, serving in the Parachute Regiment and the UK Special Forces Support Group (SFSG), and he later trained future officers at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

Transitioning to the private sector, George has led security operations for high-profile clients in Bahrain, advised media teams in Ukraine, and implemented anti-poaching strategies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He focuses on building resilient teams and developing tailored training programs in high-threat regions.

George holds a BA (Hons) in Business Management, several advanced diplomas in leadership and strategy, and certifications in Close Protection and Emergency Care. As Director of Operations for Lead Element Security Group, he combines global expertise with local insights to provide world-class security services in the United Kingdom. His leadership guarantees rigorous training for team members and precision in every operation.

Daniel Atkinson - Close Protection Team Lead

Daniel is a seasoned Security Risk Manager with over 28 years of experience in global security operations and military service, primarily in high-risk environments across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. Currently, he serves as an in-country manager of a close protection team, overseeing client security operations, including personnel safety, infrastructure protection, specialised training, risk assessments, and tailored mitigation strategies.

Daniel’s background includes senior roles in Iraq, where he managed secure transport missions for oil and gas clients as Regional Security Manager with Janus Global Operations. He also served as a Risk Mitigation Manager in Afghanistan with Raven Rae Consultancy Services, focusing on hostile-environment training and vulnerability assessments.

A former soldier in the British Army’s 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, Daniel worked in advanced training roles, instructing on Tracking and Ground Sign Awareness Exercises. In 2021, he took on national leadership roles, leveraging his operational insight and training expertise to deliver adaptive security solutions.

Leon Smith - Strategical Close Protection Lead

A seasoned Security Operations Manager with over two decades of experience safeguarding high-value assets and personnel across complex, high-risk environments. From the oil fields of Iraq to the gold mines of Mali, Leon has led elite security teams and developed strategic frameworks that have consistently delivered zero-loss outcomes and operational excellence. His career began in the British Army, where he rose to the rank of Senior Non-Commissioned Officer within the sniper platoon.

Honing his leadership in demanding combat zones. Transitioning into private-sector roles, Leon has held pivotal positions at Control Risks and B2Gold, overseeing close protection, asset security, and emergency response planning. He is renowned for building collaborative relationships with local and national authorities and for aligning corporate security with community expectations.

Leon holds a Level 6 CSMP® diploma and a Certificate in Terrorism Studies from the University of St Andrews, reflecting his commitment to continuous professional development. With a sharp eye for threat analysis and a passion for mentoring, he brings tactical precision and strategic foresight to every mission.

Ian Rutterford - Compliance and Training Director

A veteran Security and Project Manager with over 40 years of operational experience across military, energy, telecommunications, and media sectors. A former Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant in the UK Special Forces (22 SAS) and the Allied Command Europe Mobile Force, Ian has led high-risk security operations in Iraq, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and beyond. His career includes managing large multicultural teams, coordinating armed protection for senior executives, and delivering multimillion-pound emergency response contracts under extreme conditions.

Ian currently serves as Compliance Manager and Director of the Training Wing at Lead Element Security, overseeing professional development and standards across the organisation. He is a qualified Close Protection Operative with extensive expertise in running a CPO team, risk mitigation, project delivery, and strategic planning. Ian holds certifications in PRINCE2 Project.

Benjamin Birchall - Head of Human Resources & Commercial Strategy

Ben is a former British Infantry soldier with multiple operational tours in Afghanistan and extensive experience from overseas training deployments. After transitioning from military service, he worked at the Home Office in Marsham Street under Home Secretaries Alan Johnson, Theresa May, and Prime Minister David Cameron. This role provided him with valuable insight into government operations and policy.

Ben later transitioned to corporate security, starting at Harrods, where he managed control room operations and coordinated highstakes incidents, collaborating with the National Crime Agency. He then moved to Graff Diamonds, overseeing the secure international movement of multi-million-pound high-value assets to destinations such as Tokyo, Monaco, and St. Moritz, while working with high-networth clientele.

Passionate about people and performance, Ben is dedicated to unlocking potential and fostering excellence throughout the organisation.

Paul Cook - National Procurement Manager

A seasoned logistics and procurement specialist with a sharp operational edge, Paul brings over 20 years of experience in military and corporate environments. After serving 9 years in the Irish Guards, including multiple operational deployments to Iraq and Northern Ireland, Paul honed his leadership and coordination skills through overseas exercises and frontline service.

Transitioning into the private sector, Paul joined Harrods, where he played a pivotal role in the control room, managing critical incidents and supporting high-level security operations. He later moved to Graff Diamonds, overseeing the secure movement of luxury assets and refining his expertise in high-value logistics and operational planning.

Now serving as the National Procurement Manager at LESG, Paul drives the organisation’s supply chain integrity and resource optimisation. He excels in vendor negotiation, asset tracking, and compliance assurance, ensuring that every procurement decision supports mission success and operational resilience.