A Stoke-on-Trent-based global security, risk and crisis management practice is advising, protecting and assisting existing and new clients affected by the Israeli-Hamas War.
EOS Risk Group, based in Hanley, has been working around the clock since the original terror attacks last weekend, helping people operating in directly-impacted territories, such as the Gaza Strip and southern Israel, as well as the wider region.
Clients include oil majors, Fortune 500 corporations, government and global shipping businesses who have relied on the group’s support for over 20 years.
Calls to EOS started almost immediately and were initially coming through to the Group’s Advisory and Intelligence Division from subscribers to its advisory service. The Division is manned by former military intelligence analysts with a combined 160 years of experience.
Founder and CEO David Johnson explained how the conflict has affected the group’s clients, and what they are doing to assist.
He said: “The calls were almost immediate, as soon as reports started to filter through.
“The first was from a well-known cruise line whose itineraries we manage from a security risk basis.
“With several calls in the eastern Mediterranean as well as the Gulf of Aqaba and Northern Red Sea, it was clear we needed to assess the security risk on a dynamic basis and assist with alternative port suggestions for the itinerary.
“Secondly, and very quickly, our land operations team started to receive requests for media security – known as backwatching in the business – for news crews from our existing client base.
“We were one of the first international security companies on the scene after the Beirut Port Blast in 2020 and since then have covered events in both Lebanon and Israel for some very large, well known broadcast news media companies.
“We quickly had teams on the ground, providing well needed protection and protective equipment (body armour), in what continues to be an extremely dynamic and dangerous environment.”
As the days pass, daily and weekly updates will be provided by the Advisory and Intelligence Division with the analysis proving extremely valuable.
David added: “In particular, we were asked very early on to include a dedicated section of an existing regional report, subscribed to by several Fortune 500 businesses we support, covering the conflict and its implications to their businesses.
“For example, on the wider front, clients are asking for us to review their crisis management plans and evacuation plans, in case the conflict spills into the wider region.
“In a similar vein we are recommending that existing and new clients also review their kidnap plans. We are an experienced kidnap for ransom specialist who write protocols, and work with all stakeholders to manage kidnappings from inception to release.
“Hamas have seized a large number of people, to act as human shields and bargaining tools in the future. With other nations and militias being actively encouraged to join the conflict, there is concern that individuals from, or working for businesses from pro-Israeli counties, may be targeted.”
David also noted that the Group was “sadly the beneficiaries” of a rise in insecurity sparked by global conflicts.
He added: “When the Ukraine invasion by Russia occurred, we started to provide daily intelligence and evacuation services to corporate clients, and still provide a daily intelligence product, relied on by marine lawyers, shipping companies, commodities traders and underwriters, to assist with managing their risks.
“We are happy to work with any local businesses with operations, projects or planned visits to the region who have concerns.”
