red24 strengthens position in US market with Mackinnon appointment

28 Sep 09

Global security specialist red24 has appointed Neil Mackinnon head of security for the Americas.

With over 20 years’ combined experience in the defence, law enforcement and intelligence industries, Mackinnon is now tasked with driving the expansion of red24’s US-based business.

Mackinnon joins to service the organisation’s existing client portfolio, and will play a key part in expanding its Stateside business in the area of corporate security provision.

Maldwyn Worsley-Tonks, red24’s CEO, said: “Neil joins us at an exciting time in red24’s evolution. We are building and maintaining business very successfully in our target markets, including the US, and his extensive experience in security and crisis management will be a major asset in helping us establish ourselves still further in North America.”

Service with the Intelligence Corps

Mackinnon’s career began in the British Army where he quickly established himself in the Intelligence Corps, commanding operations across Northern Ireland and Europe. It was a position which became the foundation for much of his future career.

Mackinnon also enjoyed a successful period in the Scottish Police, again specialising in surveillance and intelligence, before joining the British Ministry of Defence with deployments to Sierra Leone and Iraq teaching ‘human intelligence’ to a wide array of military and non-military organisations.

Director of crisis response and intelligence

The most recent five years of his career have been spent with Kroll Security International (now GardaWorld US), latterly as the director of crisis response and intelligence.

This multi-faceted role included support to corporate and non-corporate clients travelling to hostile environments through the provision of hazard assessment, personnel training and round the clock response – undertakings which have further underlined Mackinnon’s excellent credentials for the red24 post, much of which will focus on developing relationships with US corporations who routinely send staff abroad.

Speaking about his appointment, Mackinnon told SMT Online: “I’m delighted to join red24, and am looking forward to driving the business forward here in the US. My experience across such a wide range of corporate, Government and NGO’s will stand me in excellent stead, and I’m confident of growing red24’s reputation as a major player in the States, both directly with corporations and via our affiliated travel insurance services”

Mackinnon is based in Washington DC.

Global risk management solutions

red24 is a leading provider of global risk management solutions, and expert in security, intelligence, high-level threats and protecting employees abroad. Staffed by former senior military and police personnel, the organisation offers informed advice, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

red24’s solutions range from providing advisory information on business travel destinations to deploying on-the-ground teams in response to a high-level threat.